Page 17 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
‘That’s all well and good, but how will you get there?’
‘Jake and I are planning a route. I can either drive through France, cross the border into Spain, and head south along the coast, or take a ferry to Santander and drive across the country.’
‘And you’re confident Winnie will make such a long journey?’
‘Jake says I need to get international breakdown cover and European vehicle insurance in case Winnie has problems.’
‘Have you got health insurance?’
‘I need something called a EHIC health card, which I’ve applied for, and Jake reckons the Caravan and Motorhome Club will cover all the insurance for me.’
‘Have youjoined?’
Atticus reached for his whisky. ‘I’m a fully paid-up member as of today,’ he grinned.
‘But what about the dog?’
The men glanced down where Ness lay sound asleep.
‘I’ll take her with me.’
‘Eh?’ Arthur’s jaw dropped open. ‘Isn’t she a bit too old for gadding about and eating foreign food?’
‘It’ll do her good. I can hardly leave her behind.’
‘Does she need a passport?’
‘Aye, we both do. It’s a right rigmarole sorting all the paperwork out, but Jake is on it.’
‘Sounds to me like Jake should be going with you.’ Arthur reached for his whisky.
‘The lad has school, and as much as he wants an adventure in Winnie, Mungo would kill me if I took Jake away.’
‘So, you are comrades in arms with your grandson?’
‘Yes, Jake is sworn to secrecy until I set off.’
‘Do you think Mungo will kick up a fuss?’
‘Aye, I do. He doesn’t think I can get to the end of the road on my own anymore, let alone set off on a long journey.’
‘Then all Jake’s hard work is a fait accompli.’
‘Aye, something like that, but the lad’s no fool. I’m making his time financially worthwhile and have promised him the Little Grey Fergie when I’ve passed over.’
‘But can you afford all this?’ Arthur asked.
‘Have you forgotten about that patch of land I sold?’
‘Ah, yes.’ Arthur nodded. He remembered that when Mungo had taken over the farm, he’d suggested that Atticuskeep hold of three acres of land running parallel to the road on the edge of the village.
‘I got far more for it than I ever could have dreamt.’
‘There are four luxury houses on it now,’ Arthur said. ‘Eden is a desirable village.’
‘It gave me a nest egg – one I’d planned to leave to the grandchildren.’
‘If I was you, I’d blow the lot.’
