End The

The End.

The mortars soared high into the dark, cloudless sky. They exploded as
if they were one. A myriad of colours, showers of stars and secondary
bursts of power lit the whole hillside as if it were daytime. He sought
her hand. She put her arm through his and pulled him closer. It was
impossible for them to look away from the spectacle, even though their
love had just exploded like the pyrotechnics above.
The world could not be the same again. This was the end of the world as
they had known it. Their inseparable bond somehow made the future less
uncertain. They tore their eyes away from the falling fire and faced
one another. The reds and golds of the transient stars accentuated the
colour of her hair; the blues and greens added to the brightness of the
irises of his eyes. The fire above their heads ignited, once again, the
fire within their hearts and they succumbed to that first among
emotions, the desire for one another.

"Bad weather off the Scillys," said Fred looking at the radar
screen.
"Just in time for Christmas," commented John, glumly.
"No. It's moving too slow. I'd say just after Boxing Day."
"'Spect we'll get some fool yachting anorak out in it, just the
same."
"More'n likely," said Fred as he reached for his tea mug. He found it
empty. The long days or nights watching the weather radar in the
Coastguard Post were mostly boring. Though Cornwall had more than its
fair share of maritime incidents, most of the time, tea was the only
distraction. Fred got up from the display screen and shouted down the
hatch in the floor. "George. Put the kettle on, me dear."
"OK Fred," came the reply from the depths of the concrete bunker. The
old, wartime installation had been pressed into service when the
previous Post had succumbed one wild winter. A woman's head, crowned
with light auburn hair, popped through the floor hatch.
"Let's have your mugs then," said Georgina. She collected the mugs and
went below.
"Young George's a good one," said John, "definitely one of the
lads."
"'Er father would 'ave liked to 'ear that," said Fred.
"How's that then Fred?"
"Was last year, a bit before you came. 'Er dad was Master of the
lifeboat up at St. Ives. George used to go out with 'em. On routine
stuff, mind."
"What happened?" John saw the pained look on the face of his much
older colleague.
"Desperate, it were. You remember 'ow bad that February was?" John
nodded. "Well, there was a small tanker in trouble just west 'o
Newquay. The stations up country were already out, so St. Ives got the
call. A bit of a trek it were, heavy seas and 'owling gales."
"It was bad all up the Bristol Channel."
"Well. They got to the tanker and managed to get the non-essential
crew off. 'Course, most 'o these weren't mariners in any shape or form.
One bloke didn't want 'is preserver on. Foreign 'e were. 'Course, 'e
gets washed over and George's dad goes after 'im with line and
float."
Georgina poked her head through the floor hatch. Fred stopped his
recitation.
"Tea up," she said pushing the tray of mugs and biscuits onto the
floor, before climbing the last few rungs of the ladder. "What tale are
you telling this time, Fred?"
"Nothin' much, George."
"I thought I heard St. Ives," she said with a knowing smile.
"Don't miss much, do you?" said Fred, gruffly.
"It doesn't bother me much these days, Fred. Dad died doing what he
loved best. You can't ask for better than that." Georgina lifted the
tray onto the table and took her mug and a biscuit.
"True enough. So what happened, if you don't mind talking about it?"
said John.
"Dad went in after the man. But you know what happens when someone
panics, you can't get near them for all the flailing arms and legs."
John nodded and picked up his mug of tea. "Well, dad tried the best he
could, but the man didn't understand, so dad threw him the float and
line and started to haul him in. He shouldn't have done it. It's not
what you're taught, but he took the chance. It would have paid off, but
the squall suddenly changed direction and the lifeboat came round and
hit dad. He went straight down. They got the man back, though."
Georgina's voice broke on her last sentence. She wiped her nose on a
large handkerchief that she had pulled from the sleeve of her white
cable knit jumper.
"Sorry, George. Must still be a sad memory," said John.
"Sad and happy, John. Dad did what he wanted to do. And he'll be
remembered."
"You done the paperwork, George?" asked Fred.
"Just finished."
"You get along home then. Nothin' much happening here. I 'spect you
'ave some Christmas shoppin' to finish off," said Fred.
"Thanks Fred. I'll give mum a ring and take her into Truro this
afternoon."
"See you tomorrow, George."
"Bye Fred, John." The men said their goodbyes and contemplated their
mugs of tea.

Christmas for the Coastguards and Lifeboat-men is taken on the fly, so
to speak. All the posts are manned continuously because shipping is an
all year activity whatever the season. Fred and John, not having
families to go home to, had opted for double shifts from Christmas Eve
till the New Year. This was much appreciated by those with young
families. Not living far away, Georgina called in from time to time
with various Christmas fare to brighten their evenings.
"You thank your mother for all this stuff," said Fred in appreciation
as he tucked into a brace of mince pies and cream.
"She doesn't mind, Fred. She always makes too much especially as
there's only my young brother and me at home these days."
"How many of you are there?" asked John.
"I've got three older brothers and one younger one."
"Busy man your dad," said John without thinking. Georgina
laughed.
"Mum said it was the long winter nights with nothing much to
do."
"Sorry, George. I was thoughtless."
"It's all right, John."
"What're you doing for the New Year?" asked Fred.
"There' a party in St. Ives. I'll probably go to that. It's at the
community hall on the quay. Do you know it, John?"
"No. I've not been here long enough yet to explore all the nooks and
crannies."
"You must get out more. Must seem a bit tame compared with Bristol,"
she said.
"It is really. But I need a range of experience if I'm to get
promotion."
"How is this experience for you?" she asked.
"The Bristol station is split into various sections. The Coastguards
there do quite a different job. Here I get to do the whole range of
work, rather than just little bits."
"Helps me out too," said Fred. "I can't get up and down this old
ladder like I used to. It's good to have young legs doin' all the quick
stuff." Fred was referring to checking the emergency generator and
other equipment in the deep basement. "'Ere. If you want an evenin'
off, John, I'll 'old the fort. George can show you the bright lights 'o
St. Ives."
"Yes, John. Why not? There's a quiz night at my local tomorrow
night."
"If you're sure, Fred. I'll be back by midnight."
"Take one of the radios, just in case. You've been 'ere months now,
and I don't think you've been out much."
"I will. Thanks. Both of you."

"John," shouted Georgina from near the bar.
"Hello George," shouted John as he excused his way through the crowds.
"Popular pastime," he said as he got to Georgina's table.
"Certainly is. You're on my team. I hope you don't mind."
"I'm not very good at general knowledge," he said.
"That's all right. There are no big prizes. What are you like on
sport?"
"Fairly good actually."
"Excellent. Our weak point, sport," said a smartly dressed young man
at the table.
"This is Jimmy," said Georgina introducing the man, "and this is Andrew
and Clare," she said indicating an older couple, who were the rest of
the team members.
"Pleased to meet you all," said John. "Can I get anyone a drink?" The
others told him what they wanted, so he picked up a tray and pushed his
way to the bar.
"Move up Jimmy and let John sit next to me," said Georgina.
"I hoped to sit next to you tonight, Georgie darling," said Jimmy,
getting close to her ear. "Maybe we could go somewhere
afterwards."
"I've said, no, Jimmy."
"There's a pleasant little club I know just outside Canonstown. Very
private."
"I'll bet it is. No thanks Jimmy."
"Suit yourself. You could do worse."
"I know," but not much, she thought to herself.
John returned with the drinks just as the Question Master began tapping
the microphone, and counting into it for practice.
"Cheers, Johnny boy," said Jimmy, raising his glass. John raised his
own glass.
"Don't mind him. He's a bit jealous," whispered Georgina into John's
ear. "He thinks he is dating me. He's a bit wet really. Regularly comes
down from Exeter and stays in his parents' holiday cottage."
"I don't want to step on any toes," said John.
"I don't mind if you step on his," she said throwing John a quick
smile. The Question Master called for attention.

"Coastguard," said Fred into the red telephone. "Where are you calling
from?" He quickly wrote down the message and slid his chair to the
radar display. "Just off Three Stone Oar, you say. Can't see anythin'.
Mind, the sea's very high tonight, lot o' wave clutter. I'll call St.
Ives. Stay on the line."
Fred picked up another phone and pressed a button. The call was taken
almost instantly.
"Phillip. Emergency call. Small yacht seen in trouble just north of
Three Stone Oar. I can't get a fix, their reflector might be down. I'll
get you on the radio if I get a signal." The Lifeboat man in St. Ives
turned on the Station siren and activated the pagers to call a crew
together.

"Lifeboat siren," shouted the Question Master, "Last one there cleans
the boots." There was an instant melee as men grabbed their coats and
ran for the pub door.
"Come on, John. Let's go with them," shouted Georgina above the
noise.
"I'll give Fred a call." He pulled the radio from his pocket and
called in as he dashed after Georgina. "Fred, I'm running to the
Station. Any News? Over."
"Phillip's got the message. I'll update if I get anything else.
Out."
The pair ran along the quay to the Station, over taken by others coming
from nearby houses. There was quite a crowd at the Lifeboat Station
when they got there. Phillip, the Master, was ticking names off as men
arrived.
"Get kited up lads. Small yacht at Three Stone Oar. Might be
nasty."
"Phil, this is John from the Coastguard station," Georgina shouted
above the wind.
"Pleased to meet you, John. See if Fred's got anything more on the
yacht. The radio's in there." John raced inside to the radio and
contacted Fred.
"George. We're one short on the crew. Holidays I suppose. Do you want
to come with us?"
"I'll get my things," said Georgina over her shoulder as she went into
the kit room. There were cheers from the men inside as Georgina opened
the door. Phillip went to the radio room to see what was
happening.
"What's Fred got?"
"Still no reflector up, so you're sailing blind," said John.
"Could use you on the boat radio. Been out before? Want a trip?"
"Yes. With the Bristol last year."
"Go and get kited then. There'll be something to fit you." John looked
around to tell Georgina he was going with the crew, but couldn't see
her white jumper in the mass of people. He went into the now empty kit
room and found clothing to fit. He tried several pairs of boots before
he got some to fit snugly.
The shore team had made the boat ready, winching it out onto the
slip-way and starting the engine and generators. The waves were just
breaking over the harbour wall. The sea wasn't as bad as it gets, but
rough enough to make finding a small yacht difficult without a good
radar signal.
"Hop aboard, John," shouted Phillip. "Main radio's below with the
radar." John scaled the ladder. Phillip gave the signal and the boat
was released. It sped down the slip-way and crashed into the surf
inside the harbour wall. The engine was running at idle during the
descent and roared to full power as the boat hit the water. It surged
forward, cutting through the harbour and out into the boiling brine
beyond, waves breaking over the bow with shuddering force.
John called Fred on the radio.
"Have you got anything yet Fred? Over."
"I've got what looks like a pip. Bearing oh one oh from Three Stone
Oar, about one mile. You should see it on your scope when you round the
Carracks. Over."
"Oh one oh, one mile. Will keep channel open. Over."
"OK John." John hailed the Master and gave him the sighting. The sea
was getting much rougher as they moved away from the modest protection
of St. Ives Bay into more open sea. John put headphones on to cut out
as much of the sea and engine noise as was possible. The hiss of the
radio filled his ears as he waited for updates on the information. John
watched the radar screen in front of him continuously. The navigator in
the wheelhouse above had a similar screen but had other things to worry
about. The screen showed the mainland and wave clutter. John could not
see the group of small rocky islands that made Three stone Oar. It
would be some minutes before the mainland clutter would move to
starboard of the rocks when they rounded the headland. He jumped as he
felt a hand on his shoulder. John looked round and saw an oilskin clad
figure offering a drink in a covered mug.
"Thanks," he shouted as he took the mug. "George?"
"Hi. John. I make the tea here, too." John took off the headphones.
Georgina held a hand rail for support in the swell.
"I missed you at the Station. I wasn't looking for crew."
"They were short of numbers, so I got on."
"A message," said John as a green lamp flashed on the radio. He turned
the speaker on.
"Receiving, Fred. Over."
"Position same. Confirm oh one oh from Oar, one mile. It isn't moving
so I don't know what you'll find. Over."
"Thanks, Fred. Keep channel open." He turned the speaker off. "What do
you do apart from make tea?" he asked.
"Power winch, usually. It's just a big switch. My puny muscles can
deal with that."
"I saw you moving that filing cabinet the other day. Not so
puny."
"We're round the headland, John," she said looking at the screen. John
put the headphones back on and concentrated on the images. They could
make out the group of rocks and just north of them was a faint but
stationary image, not quite buried in the clutter. John flicked the
switch to suppress the background noise caused by the ever-changing
waves. After a few sweeps of the radar, the enhanced pip of the boat
showed quite well.
"Tell the Master we've got a good position." Georgina climbed out of
the radio room and went forward to the wheelhouse.
The master was discussing the radar image with his Mate, both holding
on to the hand rails in the small cabin.
"It isn't moving with the current. I can't think of any rocks it could
get caught on."
"No Phil. There's nothing there but sea. Perhaps the reflector has
dropped into the sea. It might not move with the current."
"Could be." The Master called down to John. "Has any craft been
reported missing?" John checked with Fred.
"Non as yet. We've no idea how many people might be in it. The
original call came from a maintenance man on Pendeen Watch Light. It
looked like a small yacht."
"OK John. Keep me posted."

John watched the signal get stronger as the Lifeboat made its way to
the target area. The wind had dropped slightly, but the swell was as
bad as ever. Two crew on the bows directed powerful lamps forward into
the swell hoping to catch sight of a boat or debris. John tried the
emergency distress channel again, just in case the yacht had an
automatic beacon that was working. There was still no distress
signal.
A siren sounded. Both the search lights focussed on the same spot in
the waves. Pieces of wreckage were bounced around by the swell. The
helmsman slowed the lifeboat in case of survivors. The hull of the
yacht came into view. Completely inverted, mostly submerged, with long
gashes down one side. The broken mast was floating in the water, still
attached by its rigging. The radar reflector was solidly fixed to the
mast.
Georgina blew her whistle when she saw the figure in the waves. She
could not be sure if it was a man or woman, not that it mattered. The
figure was still upright, the life jacket doing its job. The water was
near freezing so every second counted. The helmsman turned the lifeboat
in the direction of the figure, the lights picking out the inert form.
Georgina paid out about twenty metres of line from the winch and
attached the inflatable life raft which would explode open when it hit
the water.
The Master gave the signal. Georgina threw the raft as hard as she
could, balancing against the swell. It landed close to the figure and
billowed open. The person in the water did not respond.
John had come out to see the action. His job was over for the time
being. The boat was side-on to the swell and rocking madly. Essentially
stable the boat was quite safe. John moved his safety line from point
to point as he made his way aft to the winch position. They say that
every thirteenth wave is larger than the rest. John was moving his
safety line when his thirteenth wave hit the lifeboat. He lost his
footing in the wash of icy water as it cascaded over him. He grabbed
out at the hand rail, but his gloves were full of chilling water and
his fingers too numb to grip. John flew over the hand rail with the
force of the surge, hardly touching it on his way passed.
Georgina blew her whistle in short bursts, voices useless in the noisy
storm. The Master and another came aft to assist. They could see John
thrashing about in the waves, buoyed by his life jacket. He struggled
to the raft and attempted to pull it round to the inert yachtsman. It
was clear John was weakening. The force of his departure from the boat
had winded him. Before the Master could stop her, Georgina had attached
a long line to herself and climbed over the side and down the
ladder.
The Master signalled to the helmsman to turn the boat to shield her
from the worst of the swell. Georgina swam strongly to the yachtsman
and grabbed his jacket. She kicked out for the raft, dragging the heavy
body with one hand. The cold water sapped her strength. Every one of
her strokes was weaker than the previous. John had managed to scramble
into the raft and got some of his breath back. He grabbed a paddle and
worked it with all his remaining strength. The waves lashed at the pair
as they closed on one another.
The yachtsman was suddenly aware of the activity and started to thrash
for his life. He had all but given up. His arm came down heavily on
Georgina's head. She went under with the unexpected force. Her life
jacket pushed her back up again. The Master hauled her away from the
survivor and the other crewman winched the raft towards the lifeboat.
The raft swung round when the winch tightened the cable and sped
towards the survivor. John grabbed the man and pulled him into the
raft. The two men on the lifeboat pulled at the cables and hauled
Georgina towards the raft. John grabbed again and Georgina scrambled on
board.

The New Year's Eve fireworks were best seen from the hillside above
the town. Georgina and John walked up in the starlight and were in
position just before midnight.

END