tour?’
‘Aye, as long as I’ll not be disturbing you?’
‘No problem. I can still keep watch while I show you around.’
She showed him the equipment and told him about the duties of the volunteers. Unlike most of their visitors, he had some idea of how the radar and visual equipment operated and seemed genuinely interested. Before she knew it, over half an hour had passed by, during which she’d broken off to give a local weather report to a fishing vessel and kept an eye on the movements of a couple of anglers casting off the rocks off the cove.
While she did her duties, Lachlan looked out over the waves, quiet and watchful, as if he was searching for something – or someone – just as she had in the days and weeks after Nate had first gone missing.
She turned to him and explained what she’d been doing, showing him the observation log, and he asked her about some of the incidents they’d helped with.
‘I can’t believe you managed to re-open and equip this place on your own,’ he said. ‘When I was a volunteer with the MRT, even though we had professional support from the RAF, they still relied on donations and people to keep going.’
‘I should think it was tough working in the mountains. Out in the snow and gales,’ Marina said.
‘Sometimes …’ He hesitated, a little wistfully. ‘You get on with it though,’ he resumed firmly. ‘Did you raise all the money to re-open this place?’
‘God, no. It wasn’t only me,’ she protested. ‘Loads of people in the town helped – local businesses, the WI, the Fisherman’s Institute, friends, neighbours, students and colleagues at the college where I work. Almost everyone chipped in or helped somehow. I could never have done it or kept it open on my own. It’s a constant battle to raise enough to keep going and to get enough volunteers to keep it open during daylight hours. I’d never have dreamed of doing something like this before …’ Her voice tailed off. ‘Before I realised how much of a need there was for someone to replace what the coastguard used to do.’ She had no intention of volunteering the real reason why she opened the station. If he asked, well, that was different and she’d deal with it.
He blew out a breath. ‘It’s good going. Respect to you. I know the effort you must have put in and still do.’
‘It doesn’t feel like an effort. I enjoy it, in all weathers,’ she replied, realising instantly what a strange thing that was to say, considering she’d started doing it because of losing Nate. She smiled and her next words tumbled out of her mouth before she could chicken out. ‘You could volunteer for us, if you’re interested … you’d have to do the training, of course, but we can do most of it here and with your background in SAR you’d probably breeze through it … if you’re staying in Porthmellow for a while, that is.’
He hesitated. ‘Thanks for the invitation but I’m sure I’d be no use to you in this situation.’
‘Actually, with your background and experience, I think you’d be exactly what we’re looking for.’
‘Thanks, but I’m not sure what my plans are yet.’ He checked his watch, unnecessarily as there was a huge clock on the wall. ‘Sorry, I have to be off. I’ve a meeting with Aaron before dinner.’
Marina knew she’d cast the net too soon.
‘OK. Well, you know where we are if you change your mind.’
He smiled. ‘I’m afraid I’m not likely to … forgive my bluntness, but I’d rather be honest with you now. Thanks for your faith in me all the same. I’m flattered.’
‘I didn’t intend to flatter you,’ she said.
She was answered with another smile that could be covering any emotion from irritation to pleasure.
She’d no idea what he was thinking but one thing was certain: he was eager to be out of her way. It was a shame, after they’d talked for so long. She’d enjoyed his company, his physical presence and the strange sensation that he was a kindred spirit, though that was entirely based on her gut feeling.
‘You know, there’s a fundraising day in aid of the lookout station and the local lifeboats a week on Saturday,’ she said. ‘If you fancy coming along with Aaron, we’d love to see you? His parents are helping out and there’ll be an auction at the end. You could bid on a Christmas turkey, if you like.’
He