Devil's Rock - Chris Speyer [73]
I understood now that when Una left her body to live with the dolphins and I took Maunder’s body and then her body for my own, we had violated the great universal law that says you cannot move from one life to another without first dying. We had broken the cycle of birth and death. I was trapped in a body that would never change, that could not change until it was reunited with Una’s spirit. Only then could we both be freed. So I returned to the Orme, to the cottage – certain that Una’s spirit was still out there somewhere in the great ocean. But how to find her? I became obsessed by the idea of having my own boat – with a boat I could search for my sister, and I could earn a livelihood. My obsession finally drove me to climb the rock and do what I swore I would never do – I took some of Maunder’s treasure and sold it.
Now I have my boat and I work the oyster beds in the season, and I fish, and I call the dolphins, and I search the sea for my sister’s spirit.
* * *
Dear stranger, that is my story. Pray for me. Pray that one day I may be free. Pray that one day my sister will remember me and return.
Oh, Una, wherever you are, when you do return, you will find me here, waiting.
g
Chapter 19
Zaki looked at Anusha to see if she had finished reading. Anusha nodded and Zaki closed the book. Neither spoke but when their eyes met, Anusha let out a long breath. Zaki climbed up on deck and stood looking at the familiar scene – a few dinghies out sailing, the South Sands ferry busily making its way down the inlet, the harbourmaster’s launch going about its business. How could everything appear so normal? Anusha emerged from the steps and stood beside him.
‘It’s Maunder. That’s what got into me in the cave.’
‘But how could he still be there? It was over a hundred years ago! And she killed him.’
‘No. She poisoned her own body thinking Maunder’s spirit would die with it. The bracelet held his spirit until I put it on, then it passed into me. I let it out. I released it from the cave. I’m like a carrier. It’s like I’ve got a disease but I don’t know the cure.’
‘What about the girl – Rhiannon – maybe she knows what to do?’
‘I think she’s as puzzled as we are. She’s been watching me ever since we got back from the Orme.’
‘The cat?’
‘Yes.’
‘So she knew we were on her boat!’
‘She knew we got on but she must have thought we’d left before she cast off.’
‘Perhaps she meant us to find the book.’
‘Perhaps. But I wasn’t supposed to take the bracelet. I wish I could talk to her but I know she doesn’t want me anywhere near her. And you can’t blame her. What if Maunder suddenly took control of my body and I went for her?’
‘Well, you can’t talk to her – but I can.’
Zaki looked at Anusha. She was right! There was no reason why Anusha and Rhiannon shouldn’t meet. Was there?
‘What about some lunch?’ Anusha asked suddenly. ‘I’m starving!’
‘Food. Good idea.’
They ate on deck in the autumn sunshine. Despite everything, it was good to be on the boat on such a beautiful day. Anusha asked questions about the rigging, about how everything worked, and Zaki answered them, happy for the chance to show off his knowledge.
‘What about a sailing lesson?’ Anusha asked as they tidied away the picnic.
‘What? Now?’
‘Why not?’
Yes – why not, thought Zaki. A nice little breeze had set in – perfect for a beginner. ‘OK. We’ll have to rig the dinghy.’
Zaki pulled the dinghy up alongside Morveren and climbed down into it. Soon, the dinghy was rigged and they cast off from Morveren.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Frogmore Creek?’
‘Sounds good to me. I like frogs.’
Any girl who likes frogs has got to be all right, thought Zaki and grinned at Anusha.
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
They had the wind behind them at first and then on the beam as they rounded Snapes Point and headed up towards Kingsbridge. After the point, they entered the part of the estuary known as The Bag, where the shoreline on each side falls away, creating a wide but well protected