A strange vessel was motoring into the harbour. On Monday morning, Drew and his crew had driven up to Brixham to collect Caitlin and sail her home to Porthmellow.

Enjoying the sun on her shoulders, she wandered down to the quay where the crew was busy tying up alongside the quay. The harbourmaster, Troy, Evie and several of the local fishermen were admiring her so Chloe bought an iced coffee and sat at a café nearby. She didn’t want to disturb Drew while he was busy, but like the other tourists around her, she was fascinated as the crew carried their kit off the boat and loaded provisions back on.

Eventually, he caught sight of her and beckoned her towards him.

Leaving her empty cup she walked to the quayside, looking down at him.

‘Welcome home,’ she called.

He grinned. ‘Thanks. Would you like to come aboard?’

Chloe realised she’d never been on board any boat remotely like Caitlin. It meant a lot to Chloe that Drew had invited her on board for a special tour. ‘OK. Yes, I’d love to.’

She walked across the gangplank and stood on the deck with him. ‘She’s fantastic.’

‘I think so too,’ said Drew proudly. ‘I hope she behaves as well as the Marisco. We can double our trips now. We have to, to pay for her.’ It was funny the way he spoke about Caitlin as if she was an actual person.

She took in the scrubbed decks, gleaming wood and rigging. Caitlin was truly beautiful.

Drew stood by her shoulder. ‘I wanted you to be the first person from Porthmellow to meet her.’

‘Wow. That’s an honour.’

‘Will you come for a sail on her sometime?’ He was like a dog with two tails.

Chloe was no sailor, but now seemed to be the time for new beginnings. ‘I’ll try anything once as long as I don’t have to climb the rigging.’

‘Don’t worry, we don’t make newbies do that. Not on their first time, anyway.’ He winked.

She looked up at the sky, blue through the rigging. Was it possible to be happier than you deserved?

‘I saw Katya and Connor while I was in Brixham,’ said Drew.

Chloe returned her attention to his face, wondering what was coming next. ‘Oh?’

‘They’re not moving to Poland.’ His face lit up with joy. ‘Katya’s been offered a promotion and anyway she said she didn’t think she could uproot him or take him so far from me. So I won’t lose Connor.’

‘Oh, Drew, I’m so pleased for you.’ She threw her arms around him and they hugged. Then she became aware of Troy and Evie and their harbour mates watching from above. She let him go. ‘Oh dear. We’ve been rumbled.’