[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.He kept an eye on the phone while keeping a watch for any boats or walkers he couldhail for help.Eventually the flicker turned into a low but steady signal strength, and he tried Simon’s number.“Martin!” The relief in Simon’s voice was obvious.“Where are you?”“I got caught by a thunderstorm.Long story, but I’m coming in now.”“What’s wrong with you? You sound drunk.”“Concussion.”“Shit!” A pause, then, “Can you manage, or shall I call the Coast Guard?”“I think I’ll be all right.I’m just offshore, so all I have to do is follow it along until I get home.” He was reluctant to call out the emergency services if he didn’t really need them; others might be in greater need.But just in case, “If I don’t get back within.” He guessed.20 Jules Jones“.half an hour, and you can’t raise me, call them.I headed west this morning, and I’m coming back now, but I’m not sure exactly how far away I am.”“All right.But I’m going to call you every ten minutes, and if I don’t get an answer, I’m calling them.”Martin hung up, relieved that someone knew where he was, but wondering if he’dmade a mistake in turning down the Coast Guard.No.If the dolphins got too tired, he could always phone Simon back.There was nothing more he could do now to be useful other thanto sit still and not rock the boat.Simon was waiting for him at the jetty.It was obvious when Simon realised what waspowering the boat -- his jaw dropped as he stared at them.The dolphins let the lines go just as the boat came up to the jetty, leaving Martin andSimon to deal with getting the boat safely in.They swung around to swim up to the side of the boat away from the jetty, looking at Simon.By now Martin had some feel for theirexpressions, and he got the impression they weren’t really certain of Simon’s intentions.“It’s all right; he’s my friend.”One whistled sharply at him.“Just a friend,” he said, then wondered why he’d said it.Obviously he hadn’t quite shaken off the effects of that strange dream.“What’s wrong with them?”“They don’t know you, and they’ve been looking after me all afternoon.” He tookSimon’s hand and scrambled up onto the jetty, then turned back to the dolphins.“Thankyou.”Simon looked at the dolphins, then at him.“They understand you?”“That much at least.”“You’re bloody lucky.What happened?”“Storm blew up and the engine cut out.Those two towed me into a cave for shelter, butI banged my head.I’ve been out of it for a while.”“Ye gods.” Simon touched his temple, making him flinch.“Casualty department foryou, my lad.” Simon looked back at the dolphins.“Thank you.Thank you for bringing himhome.” In a lower tone, he said to Martin, “I feel an idiot, but if they can understand simple English, they deserve it.”Both dolphins whistled, then turned away to the open sea.Martin watched them gountil he could no longer see them.Would they still be here the next time he came down?Would they remember him?He was going to miss them.“Come on,” Simon said.“Time for you to get checked over.” Martin suffered himself tobe led to the car and apologised for not being there to meet Simon at the station.Dolphin Dreams21“No trouble,” Simon said.“I just got a taxi when I couldn’t get hold of you by phone.It was only when you were late coming in that I started to worry.So, what did happen to you?”He told Simon about it, and then he told the doctor at the hospital.But not all about it.Just that he’d had hallucinations.He was pronounced concussed but fit to be let loose.“Not the happy break I’d hoped to give you,” Simon said at the train station the nextday.Martin thought about the week he’d had and shook his head.“I had a good time,Simon.I’d have enjoyed it even without those two.And they were worth a fright and a bang on the head.”“I’ll get that bloody engine fixed.” Simon grinned at him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]