 Going
Dutch
When Jo's husband trades her in for a younger model,
she suddenly finds herself living on a barge near the Thames. Used
to being a kept woman, she soon realises she'll need more than a
few culinary skills to keep herself afloat. Aware she was about
to make a terrible mistake, Dora has fled from a huge wedding, her
fiancé, her mother and a very critical village to come under
Jo's protective wing.
While offering mutual support, Dora gets a job where
she has to row to work and Jo works out how to make a living. And
though they may not know much about boats they're determined to
make the best of things. One thing's for certain, though, they've
both sworn off men for good. Unfortunately, life has other plans
and inflicts arrogant but attractive Marcus, who's the oracle on
all things nautical, and laid-back, charming, jack-of-all-trades
Tom on their ordered lives.
And as if they didn't have enough to worry about,
they've discovered they have to take the barge to sea …
Chapter 1
Dora put down her bags and looked at the woman who was waving to
her from across the water. As instructed, she had taken a taxi from
the station that serviced the pretty Thames-side town and had been
deposited at the gates of the moorings. The she had telephoned to
announce her arrival. Her new landlady was going to meet her and
let her in.
She did recognise her, of course, but her best friend's mother
had changed a bit since she'd last seen her. Now she was wearing
a long overshirt and a pair of baggy jeans. Before, she had worn
the sort of County women's clothes Dora's mother wore: skirts, silk
shirts, or possibly a shaped T-shirt, with a cashmere cardigan round
the shoulders. Her hair, which used to look coiffed in a hairdresser-once-a-week
way, was now rather wild. She was smiling warmly, however, and Dora
felt that going to her for refuge may not have been such a bad idea
after all.
'How did you manage this lot on the train?' asked Mrs Edwards when
she had crossed the bridge and reached Dora. She picked up a selection
of 'bags for life' that bulged with woolly jumpers. 'And why do
you need all these jumpers? It's May!'
'My mother said it's always cold on boats,' Dora explained apologetically.
'And people were very helpful,' she went on, remembering how their
kindness had nearly made her break down and cry. She was so brittle,
the smallest thing was likely to set her off.
'I do really think that on the whole mankind is nicer than it gets
credit for,' said Mrs Edwards, politely ignoring the remark about
the cold and boats. 'Now, follow me.'
Dora heaved her rucksack on to her back and followed her along
the path to a tall steel gate. Mrs Edwards leant forwards against
the metal plate. The door beeped and she pushed it open.
'I keep the fob in my bra,' she explained. 'I've usually got my
hands full. I'll give you one. then you can come and go as you want.'
She sent Dora a glance. 'OK?'
 Dora
nodded and followed Mrs Edwards down the walkway to the pontoons.
Tied up against each one was a barge of some kind. Although she
longed to look at them, Dora was grateful that Mrs Edwards didn't
stop – her rucksack was so heavy. They had passed about four
barges, each different from the other, before Mrs Edwards halted
next to a huge vessel painted dark green.
'This is The Three Sisters. It was originally called that
in Dutch, but no one could say it, so Michael, who owns it, translated
it. It's a common name for Dutch barges.'
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