My first longer story and one that takes time to build. I'd call it Chapter 1 as I have more to come from this. Some of it is real, some is fiction, the locations are real. No editor used, but if there is one out there willing to help, please get in touch.
*****
The gentle rocking of the boat was always something I'd enjoyed. Lying back in my bed, the early morning sun was casting bands of light and dark across the cabin and the gentle rise and fall of the swell kept me in a semi asleep state. I'd been anchored in the cove for the last week, enjoying the solitude of it.
High season in Ibiza sees the population triple in size and while I desperately loved the island, I hated the chaos that high summer brought. Get on a boat though and you control your own world. The craggy north of the island is riven with coves and hidden beaches and having got to know the island well, especially from the sea, I knew this cove had a small rocky beach that no-one liked to come to.
The hills around it were also devoid of any dwellings, as better vantage points existed and the conservative island government had stopped further development. I was alone, but not abandoned. A 200m swim into the beach, and a mile walk took me into Portinatx, a family holiday resort, where I could go to bars or buy some essentials. For a bigger shop, I took the small inflatable to the shore.
The last week had been bliss. Warm sun, fresh fish, cool sea and solitude. I'd sold my business a few months before and after 10 years of hard work, I needed the break and was finding it here. I'd sold up in the UK, bought the Manhattan and sailed from Southampton to Ibiza. The boat was really too big for my need but I wanted something that gave me space and comfort without feeling like I was in a caravan.
It had cost me just under a million to buy as it was an ex demonstrator with a couple of hundred hours on the clock. What appealed more was it came already kitted out and I hadn't had to spend anything extra. I'm lazy like that. The 1800 or so nautical miles had taken me 6 days at a leisurely 15 knots, but also cost me over £20k in fuel and another few k in mooring fees. Still, I was earning that in a week with my new found wealth sitting in my bank account.
I lay looking at the ceiling. The main cabin had a double bed laid out in gold and purple linen and satin. The furnishings were a light chocolate in colour and the whole place was decadent but not too masculine. Outside I could hear the soft lapping of the waves against the hull and the open port hole window allowed a small breeze to slip through the cabin. Then something changed.
A heavier splashing sound but no change in the motion of the boat. Again it repeated and gradually became more recognisable as someone swimming round the hull. Nothing for it, I went to investigate, partly to ensure it wasn't a thief and partly for safety. A sudden movement by a freak wave and the swimmer could be knocked unconscious. I got out of bed and went up to the main deck to look.
I grabbed my shorts and quickly pulled them on. Leaving the cabin in made my way through the galley-cum-dining room and up the stairs to the main deck. The cruiser had a retractable roof which for now was closed making a lounge area and main cockpit. Remnants of last night's meal and drink were scattered around. The wine glass still had the dregs of the Rioja I'd drank and the plate still had the crumbs from the bread I'd had with various Spanish sausage cuts and some homemade ali oli, the Spanish garlic mayonnaise.
The sun was well up now and the lounge was very warm as the sun shone down on the darkened glass roof. I pulled back the door and a cooler air hit me and refreshed me. The rear deck allowed access to the sea and was ringed by a number of sofas. Leaning over the port side I couldn't see anything, and on the starboard a female face looked in surprise as I leant out.
"Hola, buenas dias". I said.
The woman looked to be in her mid-twenties. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail and I could make out a yellow bikini.
"Errrrr hi" came the reply, "errrr hablo English?"
"As a matter of fact I do. Good morning."
"Hi. Sorry I did think anyone was on board. I just wanted to look as I used to work on the super yachts".
"Well, she's a tad smaller than those, but suits me fine. Would you like to take a break from your swim and come on board? I don't bite, and I'm in need of some breakfast."
"I'm not so sure," she said, "I don't really know you and it's a bit quite round here." All the time she had been treading water looking up at me.
"Listen, swim round to the stern. I will leave a towel there and a bloody sharp knife should you wish to defend yourself. There is a hose and shower head in the port locker. Turn the faucet and fresh water comes through. Rinse yourself off. I ask because the salt plays havoc with the decking. While you do that, I'll rustle up some breakfast. How does that sound?"
"Errrr, I'm not sure."
I stood back, pulled a towel from a locker along with my diving knife and placed them on the table and then headed into the lounge area. Moving to the cockpit I partially retracted the roof to allow air to circulate but still benefit from the shade of the darkened glass. I gathered up last nights dishes and headed to the galley. As I cleaned the dishes, I heard the hum of the pump and was pleased that she had come on board.
I rummaged around for some fruit juice, melon and bread. I brewed some Earl Grey, collected some plates and cutlery and made my way back up to the lounge carrying everything on a tray. As I came onto the deck, she was stood wrapped in a towel on the stern deck looking out to sea. The sun made the water droplets on her shoulders sparkle and shine. She was a good 9" smaller than me, but curved in all the right ways. I'm not someone who likes the stick thin model look. A woman needs to have hips and a bust.
I stepped on the stern deck and placed the tray on the table. "I hope you don't mind earl grey but it's all I drink tea wise."
"It's fine, I love it."
I sat down on a sofa and poured two cups of tea but suddenly remembered my manners. "Forgive me, I'm Andy or Andrew. I don't mind either. I'm delighted to me you..."
"Emma. I'm Emma."
"Well Emma, welcome aboard. Please sit down and relax."