Against the Tide Read Online Free Page B

Caroline, what could I say?
    â€˜Anyway, enough of this nonsense, I was more in danger from the cold water.’
    Caroline laughed. ‘That wasn’t cold. You should start training in May when its only fifty-five degrees – that would make your teeth chatter and your testicles tremble. Isn’t that what you told me, Jack?’
    I mimicked Kohler’s relaxed tone. ‘Fortunately, my dear, that’s one pleasure you will never have – trying to warm up your frozen balls.’
    He smiled through her silence. ‘Well this is all very jolly – perhaps it is time for you to join me in a drink and tell me all about yourselves. I must say, I am honoured by your company.’ He caught the eye of a waiter hovering in the distance and signalled him to approach.
    We found comfortable cane chairs by the side of the pool. Caroline and Kohler sipped overdressed cocktails. I nursed a Coke.
    â€˜So you have just finished school, Jack. What do you do now?’
    â€˜He’s got a place at Wadham College, Oxford, haven’t you, dear?’ Caroline patted my arm in imitation of my mother, though there was irony in her tone.
    Kohler looked puzzled.
    â€˜Nothing has been decided yet,’ I snapped at her.
    â€˜Ah, I see. You are, perhaps, reluctant to leave this lovely young lady, for the trials of university?’
    â€˜Don’t be silly. He can hardly wait to get away. It can be hell, cooped up on this little island.’
    â€˜Only for foreigners. Some of us…’ I trailed off, realising my gaffe.
    â€˜I understand. After all, this “foreigner” is only here on holiday. It is a beautiful island but it could become, how you say, claus…’
    â€˜â€¦traphobic.’ Caroline finished the word for him. ‘Yes, very, but only if you are used to wide open spaces. Jack’s family have been here since before the last ice age.’
    â€˜Ah, I see. What do they do?’
    â€˜Farm. We have sixty vergees in St Martin.’
    â€˜Don’t confuse him with your silly measurements, Jack. That’s about twenty-five acres in proper English.’
    Kohler laughed. ‘Vergees, acres, I know little of land. I am a city Dutchman. But is that a large farm?’
    â€˜It’s big enough to be called a farm but there are at least fifty larger than us. About the size of this hotel site.’ I waved my arm over the gardens, which swept down to the bay. ‘Somewhat steeper in places though.’
    Caroline laughed at the understatement – only Jerseymen farmed cliffs.
    â€˜We grow potatoes for the early season, some broccoli and we have twenty-two cows.’ I realised my enthusiasm must sound rather naïve to the “city” Dutchman.
    â€˜Don’t forget the bull, Jack.’
    I groaned. ‘Yes, and a bull.’
    She laughed. ‘This bull is so big, Rudi, that all the men are frightened of him. Isn’t that so, Jack?’
    â€˜What she wants me to tell you is that Marcus Piavonius Victorinus, or Victor, to those who don’t read the Herdbook, weighs over one hundred stone and is probably the most vicious monster that’s ever been bred. And yes, only my mother, who is five feet two and weighs a mere seven stone, has the courage to go anywhere near him. Satisfied, Caroline?’
    â€˜For God’s sake, Jack, don’t be so touchy. I think it’s quite funny, especially his silly name. Haven’t you read that book on bull fighting I gave you?’
    â€˜ Fiesta? Yes, of course I’ve read it. I like Hemingway’s style but I’m sure Victor would see off any of his toreros .’ We glared at each other – a little like matador and mad bull.
    â€˜So, you don’t farm on Sundays?’ Kohler interjected as Caroline started to paw the ground.
    â€˜No. I mean yes, but we have some Breton workers. Alan and I help out during the holidays but Father prefers us to study or take part in