Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Joey pulled up the straps of their weatherproof pants and looked around the rest of the crew. Tierney’s cousin, Aoife, was pulling on her kit, too. She was the best radio operator Joey could wish for and they’d been volunteering together so long it was effortless.
The other two crew members were new; a young man called Peter who’d recently arrived on the island as a seasonal ferry worker and Tomás, a local who’d returned after living in the US for many years.
They both had previous experience as lifeboat volunteers, but Peter’s, at least, was recent. He’d crewed a lifeboat further down the coast in his hometown. He sat now, smiling and relaxed, knees spread across the bench, while Tomás was crowded in the corner, fussing with his zippers, his forehead shining with sweat. He was close to the cutoff age for inshore lifeboat crew, and while Joey appreciated the islanders who put their own discomfort and safety aside to play their part in this lifesaving service, nervousness could be as much a danger as overconfidence. They hoped the work in training these new recruits would be worth it.
But this was an initial training drill in partnership with the Coast Guard. The weather conditions were good, and the exercise should be simple to carry out. It was just an opportunity to get the measure of the new recruits and start to write up their development plans, which Joey would develop with Aoife’s husband Seán, the lifeboat operations manager.
“Let’s go.” Joey led them to the briefing room where Seán was waiting, ever-present clipboard in hand.
“I’m not going to go over the details of the drill again. You all understand the scenario?”
“A Coast Guard report of a small boat drifting off the north coast,” Tomás muttered, not making eye contact.
Peter stepped forward. “Unknown craft, but we haven’t received any distress calls.”
“That’s right. I’ll let your helm take it from here.” Seán stepped back after a quick hug with Aoife.
Joey led them at a jog to the lifeboat shed, where Jacky had already opened the wide doors and was backing the tractor up to the carriage that carried the inshore lifeboat into the sea. They could’ve had the boat outside already, but the intention of the drill was to reenact an actual shout as realistically as possible, without having to worry about real people at risk.
They got onboard and Joey turned from their seat at the front to check on the rest of the crew. “Tomás, where’s your life jacket?”
The volunteer looked down and his face reddened. “I’m sorry.” He jumped down from the boat and hurried out.
A snicker from Peter made Joey turn. He straightened his face immediately.
“I don’t know how things worked in your last crew, Peter, but we value teamwork above anything here.”
Peter nodded quickly. “Sorry.” He busied himself at his post and Tomás quickly returned, buckling himself into his life jacket.
They launched without further drama and got quickly into the drill. Once on the water, Tomás relaxed into his role and Peter calmed down in his effort to impress. Aoife relayed the staged information from the Coast Guard, and they moved toward the coordinates supplied. A small sailing boat soon came into view, apparently unoccupied and drifting. Joey knew Kasia and a Coast Guard officer were on board, but their crew only knew the information they’d been given.
As Joey maneuvered them closer, Peter leaned toward the craft. “One casualty on deck.”
Joey positioned the inshore lifeboat close alongside the yacht so they could tie up before assessing the situation. But before Aoife had a chance to relay any information to the Coast Guard, Peter had jumped the gap and landed on the deck of the yacht.
“Peter, get back on board while we assess,” they roared across engine noise and wind.
Peter didn’t even turn as he ran to crouch by the casualty being played by Kasia. Joey saw her sit up but couldn’t hear what was said. Peter hesitated, then stood, looking between the two craft. Joey waved him back and he ran.
Tomás had used the time to tether the two boats together and Peter jumped back on board.
Joey took a long breath before they spoke, which stopped the words coming out as a scream. “What do we do when we approach a craft with casualties, Peter?”
Peter looked around at the other crew members, but Aoife’s face was creased in a scowl Joey suspected was similar to their own. And Tomás kept his eyes on Joey, awaiting orders.
“Assess the situation, report back to the station and the Coast Guard, and then decide on our approach.”
“Correct. What can you see?”
“One casualty on deck. Not responding to calls.”
Aoife reported that back on the radio.
“Tomás, are we tied up securely?”
“Yes, skipper.”
Joey cut the engine on the lifeboat. “Peter, go on board, assess the casualty, and report back before you check the rest of the vessel.”
Peter nodded and crossed between the two vessels quickly, but in a less breakneck fashion. He crouched back down next to Kasia, and Joey watched as he did all the correct checks.
He hurried back. “Casualty is breathing, pulse normal, but unresponsive.”
Joey nodded and he turned back to check the small cabin. Aoife relayed the information and requested a Coast Guard helicopter for evacuation.
Peter’s head appeared from the cabin hatch. “Second casualty below. Also unresponsive. No injuries visible.”
Joey stepped onto the deck. “Stay with that casualty. Coast Guard are en route.”
They dropped to one knee by Kasia and took her wrist to check her pulse.
“What was that new guy thinking?” Kasia kept her voice low.
“I don’t know, but whatever you said to him seems to have worked.”
“You don’t want to know what I said to him.”
“Coast Guard Rescue 118 en route. ETA seven minutes.” Aoife’s voice carried over the waves slapping against the side of the boat.
Joey nodded acknowledgment and took off their safety helmet for a few minutes. It was a warm day, and the calm conditions meant they weren’t as wet as they often got on an exercise.
Kasia lifted her head and flexed her neck. “What’s wrong with us, anyway? Why am I unconscious? Brian didn’t seem to know, either.”
Joey shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Coast Guard wanted to get some winch training done and we could use the exercise time with these new volunteers.”
Kasia shifted again. “I’ve been lying on this deck for too long. It won’t be much of a stretch to play dead when they winch me up.”
Joey continued to relay updates on Kasia’s condition and Peter did the same, while Aoife passed them on to the Coast Guard control room.
Joey was relieved to hear the hum of the helicopter rotors a few minutes later. “Here’s your ride.”
“If only I wanted to get to Sligo in a hurry.” Kasia chuckled.
“They’ll drop you back at the end of the exercise, along with Brian who’ll take the yacht back to the mainland.”
“Right in time for me to deal with the latest hotel arrivals.”
“I’ve got a busy day ahead, too. I need to get Dad over to Doc Scott’s for a check-up. He’s developed a cough, and Doc said it was best to check him out sooner than later.”
“Could she not come to him?” Kasia shifted again, before closing her eyes and playing her part before the arrival of the Coast Guard.
“I thought it would be good for him to get out on the water, and I can take him for lunch afterwards, if he feels up to it. I’m worried he’s becoming isolated in his cottage alone.” Joey pushed damp hair out of their eyes and replaced their helmet as the helicopter maneuvered closer. The noise prevented any further conversation, and they focused on the exercise.
The boat rocked under their feet from the turbulence caused by the helicopter rotor and they steadied themself before giving the signal to the winch operator to lower the hi-line. Once the line with its weighted sandbag touched the deck, they held it taut while the winch crew member lowered to them.
As their feet landed on deck and Joey moved to steady them, Joey recognized the crew member as Laura Patterson, an experienced paramedic they’d worked with on many occasions. She turned and Joey saw she had a camera attached to her helmet; the exercise was being recorded. They glanced down to check Kasia was playing her role.
They used hand signals to direct Laura, beneath the roaring of the aircraft above them, knowing they would have had an accurate briefing from Aoife before arrival. Laura checked quickly on Kasia, then headed below decks to assess the other casualty.
The winch operator signaled to Joey they would be lowering a stretcher. Joey kept hold of the line as the stretcher lowered and secured it at the bottom. They knew the drill well, but they’d wait for Laura to take over when she returned to deck. Laura and Peter appeared at the hatch supporting Brian, the sandy-haired Coast Guard crew member who’d brought Kasia out on the yacht.
Peter helped lift a limp Kasia into the stretcher and Laura secured her efficiently before attaching the stretcher and her own harness to the line. Joey and Peter helped stabilize the stretcher until it was lifted into the air, and they watched as Laura and Kasia were pulled into the helicopter. It seemed like an age before Laura returned to take Brian up in a harness.
Joey usually became completely engrossed in exercises such as this, but today they couldn't shake the feeling there was something more important they should be doing. Whether that was spending time with their dad, helping out Marianne with childcare, or putting some effort into building up their customer base, they weren’t sure, but the unsettled feeling stayed with them for the remainder of the exercise and through the debriefing session where Joey and Seán took Peter aside and explained the necessity of following orders. He had apologized and promised it wouldn’t happen again, but Joey suspected his probation period might be longer than it should be. By the time they were finally free to leave, they gently swerved the suggestion the crew go for coffee at the Waterside when Kasia returned.
They pulled up outside their dad’s cottage with a half hour to spare before his GP appointment.
“Dad, are you ready to go? Remember I said I’d take you to see Doc today?” They ducked inside the cottage to find their dad in his customary seat, the TV blaring with some daytime show. He didn’t look up.
“Dad. I asked you to be ready.” They tried not to show their impatience. Doc would make sure to fit their dad in whatever time they arrived, but Joey had work to do. They weren’t sure if their dad’s inability to dress himself these days was forgetfulness, or just a lack of desire to go anywhere.
They urged him up out of his chair and shooed him toward the bedroom. “Just put on a clean shirt. We need to leave shortly.”
They tidied around the cottage while their dad was getting ready. When he reappeared wearing a slightly less food-stained shirt, they helped him into his coat and led him down to the stone dock where Queen Maedbh was waiting.
“It’s best for Doc to have a look at you now, Dad, before that cough gets any worse.”
“Doesn’t she do house visits anymore?” He pulled his coat more tightly around his skinny body. Seeing him outdoors brought it home once more how frail he had become.
“She does, but I thought you might like a trip in Queen Maedbh. It’s a lovely afternoon, and we could stop at the Harbor Bar on the way back for fish and chips.”
Their dad turned. “I like fish and chips.”
“Good, that’s settled then. Let’s get you on board.” They helped him down onto Queen Maedbh’s deck and into the wheelhouse. “You can drive, if you like?”
Their dad shook his head and sat on the bench. The conversation across the channel remained one-sided as Joey pointed out the places their dad had once been so familiar with. They couldn’t remember the last time he’d left the island, and an ache spread through their chest with the worry they weren’t doing enough to keep him active.
As they helped him off the boat, they asked, “Dad, is there anything you want to do this week? I can take you to see your friends or go out on the boat any day after work. The evenings are getting longer now.”
Their dad looked around Portrinn harbor with a scowl. “This place doesn’t change.”
Joey wasn’t sure what sort of changes he was expecting. The stone harbor had remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Only the vessels that used it reflected the passing of the years. “Let’s get you to the surgery, and then we’ll come back down for some lunch. Maybe you’ll see a few familiar faces.”
Shane O’Dwyer waved from the other side of the harbor. Joey waved back and hoped he wouldn’t approach. They hadn’t come up with an alternative to selling to the distributor, but they didn’t want their dad to hear Shane’s teasing about selling their catch so cheaply. The hill up to Doc’s house and surgery was too steep to attempt with their dad, especially since they were now running late, so they bundled him into the van and took the winding uphill lane to the surgery.
Doc’s long-suffering receptionist, Maura, swung open the heavy wooden door. With her frizzy bun of silver hair, she had a harried look and Joey worried she was overworked running the busy surgery alone for her eccentric boss. But her utter devotion to Doc was evident.
“How are you, Michael? Doctor Scott is waiting for you.”
“I’m well enough, Maura. No need for this fuss.”
Joey rolled their eyes over their dad’s head and steered him into Doc’s surgery.
“Michael! How the devil are you?” Doc jumped up from behind her expansive wooden desk. “Come and have a sit down and tell me how you’ve been feeling.” She waved him to a chair and sat next to him, leaving Joey to pull up a chair from the back of the room.
They let their dad speak to Doc, interjecting only when he tried to play down the persistent cough he’d had for over a week. “It’s not better, Dad. It’s getting worse. You’ve got a wheeze now.”
Doc gave him a thorough examination. “Joey’s right, you’ve got the beginnings of a chest infection there, Michael. I’m going to give you a week of antibiotics, and I’ll come over and check on you when they’re finished.”
“Thanks, Doctor. I don’t like to complain.”
At least not about his health. He was content to complain about Joey’s cooking, decision-making, and pretty much anything they did.
Doc caught their eye over their dad’s head. “You’re lucky to have such an attentive child to keep an eye on you, aren’t you, Michael?”
“She’s not too bad, I suppose. Better than those boys, who never come to see me.”
Joey shook their head at Doc’s concerned frown. They’d long given up on correcting their dad’s misgendering. It didn’t feel good, but it wasn’t worth the emotional toll of explaining over and over, and being told, “I’m your father. I know who you are.”
“Donal and Liam will be here in a few weeks, Dad. And they ring you every Sunday.” A rare occasion when their dad spoke about them favorably, and here they were defending their brothers. “Now, let’s get you down the hill for your fish and chips.”
Doc handed over the prescription with a wink. “I’ll see you in a week, Michael.”
Joey drove their dad down to the Harbor Bar and listened while he muttered about the quality of the fish, comparing it to the catch he used to bring in. They guessed he was enjoying himself, in his own way. There was no one to complain to when he was sitting alone at home.
Their thoughts drifted back to business, or lack of it. They needed to do something decisive. If they kept doing what they did, the only choice was to catch more and sell it to distributors, and that wasn’t what they wanted. The experimental oyster bed had proven itself, so maybe now was the time to invest what little savings they had. Do a little more training in oyster aquaculture. A course was starting soon that Joey’d been offered a place on. It was mostly online learning, but there was a residential week later in the year. They wondered if they could manage to get their dad looked after for a week.
“So, are we just going to sit here all day?” Their dad’s voice broke Joey from their thoughts.
They sat back with a sigh. “I’ll take you home now, Dad, then I need to get out to the pots.” When were they ever going to have time for education? Maybe it was just a silly daydream.