Forget me Knott settles down 2/5

Then things started to happen rather quickly. The current pushed in between the boat and the quayside just as Barnacle Bill had intended and the paddle steamer spun round. Fern was taken completely by surprise, overbalanced and fell into the water. Fortunately, Abigail heard her shouting and was able to come up on deck and throw her a line just as the stern swung round and the boat began drifting downstream.

"Everyone all right?" asked Barnacle Bill.

Abigail waved to him as she helped Fern back on board.

"Full steam ahead," said Barnacle Bill, "we've got to catch the tide if we're going to make good time on our voyage. Take Fern down to the boiler room," he added, "it's nice and warm down there and she'll dry out in no time."

Fern was crying again as Abigail put her arm round her shoulders and led her, dripping wet, down below.

“I can't do anything right," she howled, "I'm going to be wet and miserable for two whole weeks and then I'll have to go and live in someone's smelly old garden shed."

"Come along now," said Abigail, "nobody is a real sailor until they've fallen into the water at least once."

"Really?" said Fern. Then she started crying again, "you're only saying that to try and cheer me up."

"No, it’s true," said Abigail "and you've done it on your very first day. I think you're going to be a very good sailor. Barnacle Bill will be only too pleased to teach you all he knows."

The paddle steamer was passing Barnacle Bill's island home as Fern and Abigail came back on deck. Barnacle Bill waved to them and they joined him in the wheelhouse.

"Feeling better now?" he asked.

"Much better thank you" said Fern. "It's nice and cosy in here, "she added politely.

"Has to be," replied Barnacle Bill. "On a dark and stormy night when the sea is running as high as the masthead, you have to be alert to stay afloat and you can't do that unless you're warm and dry in a well appointed wheelhouse."

Abigail smothered a giggle and went to the port side of the bridge deck just over the paddle wheel. She knew perfectly well that Barnacle Bill had never seen waves more than two or three feet high in his life. As for being out on a dark and stormy night, well that was just spinning a yarn. Still Fern seemed impressed and that was a good thing.

"We’re just coming up to the Coastguard's cottage, broad on the port bow," said Barnacle Bill, pointing. "My home is back there over the port quarter." He turned round and pointed back to the island they'd just passed.

Fern looked puzzled. She pointed to the Coastguard's cottage with her left hand and then turned round and pointed to the island with her right hand. Then she burst into tears. Abigail hurried over to comfort her, while Barnacle Bill became embarrassed and started to take a great deal of interest in steering his vessel.

"Whatever is the matter now?" asked Abigail.

"Barnacle Bill said the Coastguard's cottage was to port. I know that means on the left," sobbed Fern. "Then he said that his home was behind us on the left and when I turned round to look it was on my right. I'm always getting in a muddle with words like left and right and that's why I make so many mistakes."