Kenny's face pressed close to me, streaming with water, his eyes more concerned that I had ever known them yet alive with a light I had never seen before. I retained my grip on the boy's hand, nearly crushing his young bones in my efforts to save him.
“You’re safe now, Catty,” Kenny said, and, pushing me roughly against the mast, looped a line around my waist and tied it tight. “You too, young Davie! Look after my girl, now.”
“Yes, Mr Fairweather!” Young Davie piped up. “I'm not scared, sir!”
“I never thought it for a second,” Kenny said, with a wink for me. Stooping, he gave me a quick kiss, the first we had ever shared. “We’re over the worst now, Catty,” he had to shout above the continued roar of the wind. “I’ll be back for you shortly.”
By chopping away the remains of the mizzen ma
