The ship's captain wore full uniform, which bulged at the seams, constricting his movements. 'Welcome aboard,' he said. 'My name is Adam Everett, but everyone calls me Captain Adam.'
Dennis studied the captain's face as they shook hands. He felt sure he'd seen it before somewhere. The captain's bulbous nose, riddled with hair-thin purple veins, glowing a healthy red, his full sailor beard, bushy and dark-grey like a metal scouring pad, and his wishy-washy blue eyes, all reminded Dennis of a picture he'd seen on a packet of frozen fish fingers.
Dennis and Margery introduced themselves.
'Kindly follow me,' said Captain Adam. 'I'll show you to your cabin so you can freshen up.' Considering his bulkiness, he set off at a brisk pace.
As they entered the ship, Dennis gagged. The distinctive odour of vomit reinforced the usual boat stench of diesel and stale air. 'I think I'll go up on deck to watch,' he said. 'I'd like to oversee the Land Rover and container-laboratory as they're hoisted on-board.'
'Right you are,' said the captain, turning into a long wide corridor. I'll show you to your cabin first, then I'll take you up. Here we are.'
'Oh yes,' said Margery, pushing past the captain. 'Most comfortable, carpets and a three-piece suite, it'll be like taking a cruise.'
'I don't know about a cruise, Doctor Cloud,' said the captain, 'we'll be sailing through some of the most treacherous waters in the world, and this icebreaker rocks like an old bucket. Have you heard of the Katabatic winds?'
'No, Captain Adam, I can't say that name rings a bell.'
'Well let's hope you don't gain first-hand knowledge.'
Dennis groaned.
'You'll find seasickness pills, and seasickness bags in the bathroom cupboard and placed all over the ship,' said Captain Adam. 'Even some of my seasoned crew suffer from seasickness when she's at her worst.'
Margery glanced around the cosy cabin and hoped the weather would be kind. She rather fancied a cruise. Clean, red curtains hung at a small round window. Beneath it stood a round table and two easy chairs. A single red rose in a thin vase decorated the table.
Margery sniffed the rose and tested the chair for comfort. 'You two go up on deck,' she said, 'while I make myself at home, off you go.'
The Land Rover and container-laboratory had already been hoisted on deck, and the crew and dockworkers were busy strapping it down.
Dennis gulped fresh air and watched the hustle and bustle with pretended interest. His nausea still nagged, but had calmed.
A big man with bulging muscles did most of the work, he pulled on heavy ropes as if made of thin cotton, and cast chunky chains around as if made of hollow plastic.
'That's Leroy,' said the captain, with a hint of pride. 'Our tough guy.'
Leroy wore a navy-blue knitted hat with the edges rolled above his ears, and a navy-blue knitted pullover with the sleeves rolled under his armpits. Both the hat and the pullover looked two sizes too small. His large powerful frame, muscular neck, deep chest, and wide shoulders rippled with energy and perspiration. On top sat a massive head with small ears, angry eyes, and button nose.
'He's a bit of a bully sometimes,' said Captain Adam, sounding less proud, 'but he works well and he's extremely useful. Just ignore him if he causes trouble.'
'Trouble? What sort of trouble?'
'Oh nothing really. Most of the crew are scared of him, he doesn't smile much and he doesn't say much. Don't worry about him, I'll tell him to stay away from you. Ah, here comes Timmy, he'll help with your bags.'
The boy stepped up and nodded. He was the complete opposite to Leroy. His shoulders stooped making him appear short, and his eyes lacked sparkle. From the state of his tangled fair hair and rumpled clothes, you'd think he'd just fallen out of bed, ready dressed.
'Ah yes,' said Dennis. 'Quite right, the suitcases, glad you reminded me. The luggage is in the Land Rover, I'll show you where.'
Captain Adam clapped Timmy's back and left for the bridge. Dennis and Timmy wandered across to the Land Rover.
'What do you do in there?' asked Timmy, nodding at the container.
'That's our laboratory, and I'm mighty glad to see it again. Come on, I'll show you where the luggage is and help you carry it down, there isn't much.'
Before long, they stumbled along the deck, panting and grunting, hands overloaded with suitcases and soft bags. They found an open door and squeezed through into the icebreaker's interior.
Leroy came towards them in a narrow corridor, his broad shoulders filling the passage.
'I say,' said Dennis, 'make room there my good man. Step aside and let us pass if you please.'
Leroy made no attempt to move aside.
'Come along there, chappy,' said Dennis, 'stop this nonsense and let us pass.'
With an ugly sneer, Leroy flattened his broad back against the wall. Not that it helped much. He puffed out his chest like a proud cock leaving the minimum of space. Timmy ducked past as if he expected a clout from behind. Dennis stretched to his full height, a whole half-head taller than Leroy, but as he struggled past he avoided Leroy's eyes and almost ran back to his cabin.
'What is the matter with you two?' asked Margery as they dropped the bags and slammed the door behind them. 'You look terrified half to death.'
'Goodness me,' said Dennis, a red flush on his cheek, 'what a most peculiar encounter.'
'I hate him,' said Timmy.
Dennis rested his hand on Timmy's shoulder. 'This is Timmy. Timmy, this is my wife, Margery.'
'Pleased to meet you, Marge,' he mumbled.
Margery studied the shy boy. He evaded her eyes and fiddled with a stone pendant hanging around his neck.
'Well,' said Margery, 'Aren't one of you going to tell me what happened?'
'There is a grossly oversized man on-board,' said Dennis.
'Leroy,' mumbled Timmy.
'Yes, Leroy. Well I say, Margery, he's a monster.'
'I hate him,' repeated Timmy.
Margery raised her eyebrows and looked from one to the other. 'You're not being coherent,' she said. 'You've met a monster named Leroy and Timmy hates him?'
'Never mind, Margery, no harm done, just peculiar behaviour. You look ravishing, my dear.'
'Thank you, Dennis. Come in, Timmy, sit opposite me.'
Timmy hesitated but managed to find his way to the chair without lifting his gaze from the carpet.
'Are you afraid of this "Leroy" monster?' asked Margery.
Timmy nodded and stole a quick glance into Margery's face. 'Do you like the rose?' he asked. 'I put it there.'
'I love roses,' said Margery, 'thank you very much. Have you told Captain Adam how you feel about Leroy?'
'Captain Adam is my uncle, everyone hates Leroy.'
'Including your uncle? Why does your uncle allow this man to terrorise everyone?'
'Uncle's afraid of him too, but uncle is too kind to get rid of him.'
'Your uncle sounds like a sympathetic man.'
Timmy almost managed a smile. 'Uncle is the only person who has ever been kind to me.'
Margery lifted an eyebrow. 'Surely your mother and father are not included in that remark?'
Timmy fiddled with his stone pendant and stared at the rose. 'I'm sorry, Marge, but I have things to do.' He jumped up and hurried to the door. 'If there's anything you need, call me. I'm the steward and I can get you anything.'
'Very well, Timmy, as you wish. When do we sail?'
'Uncle says we have to sail as soon as possible, another half-hour maybe.' Timmy blinked his sad eyes and hurried out.
Dennis sat in Timmy's abandoned chair and peeked through the dirty window. Rain dashed across the quayside and puddles rippled in the wind.
'Did you hear what that cheeky boy called me?' said Margery. 'Nobody has ever called me Marge. It sounds terrible, like something the poor people spread on their bread. Why didn't you correct him?'
'Yes, Margery, I suppose I should, but I feel sorry for the boy, I'm sure I saw a tear when you mentioned his mother and father.'
Before Margery could answer, the cabin speaker burst into life and Captain Adam's voice crackled loudly. 'Would everyone please come to the mess hall. And by that, I mean everyone. Thank you.'
The Captain met the scientists in the mess-hall door, and guided them to a broad table. Tea was served together with a bowl of warm vegetable soup and fresh white loaves. The captain had swapped his jacket for a thick crew neck pullover and now Dennis was convinced he must have modelled for a packet of frozen fish fingers.
'I called this meeting,' said Captain Adam in his soft pleasant voice, 'so we can be acquainted with one another and discuss the purpose of this voyage. As you can see, there aren't many of us. Because of the dangerous and secret nature of our expedition, I have reduced the crew to a minimum.
'We set course for the Weddell Sea in the South Atlantic, which lies to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula.' His mouth formed into a sarcastic grin. 'We don't usually go to the Antarctic this time of year because the sea can be treacherous and the ice, if we get that far, is too thick to break.'
Dennis and Margery glanced at each other.
'Captain Adam,' said Dennis. 'I expect we shall lock ourselves away in our container-laboratory for most of the journey, and we don't want to be disturbed.'
Captain Adam burst out laughing. 'Ho, ho, ha! I didn't mean to alarm you good people. I could be wrong, of course, the crossing could be like a duck pond, and the ice as thin as this soup–miracles do happen, ho, ho, ha.'
'I'm already feeling queasy,' said Dennis, holding his stomach. 'It's best you forget about us until we arrive.'
The captain scratched his beard. 'I'm sorry I can't promise a smooth crossing, but such is life on the ocean.' He sighed, stood up, and placed his hands on each crewmember's shoulder as he introduced them.
'This is Timmy. You've already met him, my nephew and purser. If you need anything at all this is the lad to ask.'
He moved on. 'This is Cook, and he's the reason I'm so overweight, he's been with me since the first boat I ever sailed.'
He moved on. 'This is my engineer, Friendly Fred, another good friend. As you get to know him you'll understand why I nicknamed him Friendly.'
Fred nodded, 'Pleased to meet you, she's a good solid boat and runs beautifully. Don't worry, she'll get us there in one piece–unless she busts a gut in the effort.'
Captain Adam placed his hands on Leroy's broad shoulders. Leroy shook them off with a grunt and the captain smiled awkwardly.
'This is Leroy, strongest man on the docks of Liverpool, or any other dock for that matter, and a good man to have around. He's the hardest worker I've ever known and if we should ever need a bit of brute force this is the man to ask. He's a capable fitter and handyman, under direct orders of Fred the engineer.'
The captain moved to the last man. 'This is Mr Horiatis Wood, my first officer. For this voyage, he is also the radio operator and medicine man. Mr Wood joined us at the last moment. My usual first officer was taken ill with appendicitis, so all I know about our new young friend here is that he has excellent references and impressive qualifications.'
Mr Wood smiled. 'Please call me Horace, I've grown tired of the name Horiatis.'
His dress was faultless: officer's jacket, white shirt, perfectly tied knot. His manner was charming, like a well-bred Lord, and his whole person radiated serenity and intelligence. 'I'm delighted to make your acquaintances, each and every one of you.' He lifted his officer's cap and bowed graciously to everyone, beginning with Margery and ending with Leroy.
His dark eyes had a purple tint in the iris, and his pupils were large and deep. His head and face were hairless, resembling a boiled egg. He replaced his hat and straightened it.
'I would like to say a few words about my appearance,' his smile broadened, revealing perfect white teeth. 'I was born with a genetic disorder, I am hairless, and I have no finger or toenails.'
Peeling off his skintight, black-leather gloves, Horace disclosed a pair of soft pink hands, lacking fingernails. 'Apart from that,' he said, lifting his hands for all to see, 'I'm quite normal.'
'Well I'm glad to hear it,' said the captain. 'Please keep your socks on, I don't think anyone is interested in seeing your toes.'
The captain strolled back to the head of the table and addressed his crew. 'The Cloud Doctors are to be left alone at all times. Timmy is the only person allowed to approach them.' He turned to Margery and Dennis, 'Do these arrangements suit you?'
'Yes,' said Dennis. 'Thank you, Captain. Would you like me to say a few words?'
'Go ahead. All I know is that every piece of electronic equipment on-board my ship was repaired in express speed, and that we were all sworn to secrecy, and that you people would explain everything. Please, go ahead.'
Dennis cleared his throat. 'Well, actually, we're looking for an iceberg.'
Everybody, except Horace and Margery, collapsed in laughter.
Leroy bellowed the loudest. 'They're looking for an iceberg,' he scoffed. 'An iceberg? In the Antarctic?'
'Thank you, Leroy,' said the captain, fighting to control his own laughter. 'That'll do. We'll just have to keep our eyes open. Ho, ho, ho, haaa…'
Margery glowed bright red. 'Really, Dennis,' she scolded. 'You've made a fool of us.' She slapped the table with the flat of her hand. Cups and cutlery bounced and danced until the merry captain and his men sobered.
'Thank you,' said Margery, her expression dared anyone to laugh. 'We are not making this trip because we think it's funny. We're making this trip to save our planet from extinction. The iceberg we seek has been deposited by aliens; and before you start laughing again, consider all the bizarre climatic events lately, like the extremes in temperature, and the lack of rain, and the sea level sinking by two metres.'
'Not to mention all the ruined electronics,' said Dennis.
Captain Adam scratched his beard. 'I never believe in anything I have not seen,' he said, 'and as I have never seen an alien, I don't believe in them.'
'But you do admit to all these bizarre phenomenon?' asked Margery.
All the men nodded, things had indeed been strange.
'As we approach our destination,' continued Margery, 'we shall break through the ice into an open area of warm pink water, and when we arrive at this pink water, we shall find our iceberg. My husband and I are commissioned to investigate this pink water phenomenon, discover the cause, and rectify it. Our mission is as simple as that. And more than that we cannot say, and more than that we do not know.'
Dennis placed his arm around Margery's shoulder and squeezed.
'Very well,' said Captain Adam. 'We are looking for an iceberg surrounded by pink water. Personally, I never believe in anything I have not seen, and as I have never seen pink water in the Antarctic, or anywhere else for that matter, I don't believe I ever will. But we are commissioned, and will do our utmost. We have a job to do and if there are no questions I suggest we get along.'
'I would like a word,' said Fred the engineer. He had listened intently, nodding and frowning. He squeezed his cheeks between fingers and thumb. Age-old grime stained his fingernails that no end of scrubbing could remove, and stubble covered his chin that no end of shaving could remove. 'We've been through thick and thin, the captain and I, but I've never seen the likes of this mission. And I must say–I don't like it.'
The captain patted Fred's back. 'Always the pessimist.'
'You know my hunches, Adam. I've got you out of a scrape or two in our time. You mark my words. Nothing good will come from this trip. Not that it's any of my business, never mind me, I'm just the grease monkey, a worryguts who likes to see everyone safe and happy.'
'Thank you, Fred, your comments are noted. Does anyone else have a question or comment? No? Very well, one last word: Nobody is permitted on deck after we leave port, which is from now on. Deck side is out of bounds. Thanks for your attention and have a pleasant voyage.'
…
Back in their cabin, Dennis gazed through the grimy round window and sighed. Dockworkers had begun to release mooring ropes and throw them into the sea. The ship's engine picked up speed and objects tinkled in the vibration. Immediately, the ship started to rock and Dennis stretched out on his bed. 'Wake me when we get there,' he said.
But the journey started calmly and Dennis woke next morning with his stomach under control. Timmy served them breakfast in the mess hall, then sat opposite them at the table.
'Why is it forbidden for us to go up on deck?' asked Margery. 'The weather is beautifully calm.'
'It's too dangerous,' said Timmy, 'there are so many things to trip over and the deck is always wet and slippery. If you fell off the side we'd never find you again, and anyway, the water's so cold you'd freeze to death before you drowned.'
'How old are you, Timmy?'
'Eighteen.'
'The same age as our youngest son, Russell.'
Timmy's hand went to his pendant and he rolled the stone between his fingers. 'He's lucky then. My ma and pa are dead.'
'Oh I say,' said Dennis, 'that's rotten back luck.'
'Be quiet, Dennis,' said Margery.
Timmy tried to smile, but it washed over his face and dried away. 'Pa killed himself in a car crash one evening and ma died of anorexia.' He fiddled with his stone. 'I'm ashamed of them, I hate them.'
Margery felt an urge to hug him. Instead, she placed her hand on top of his.
'Don't do that,' said Timmy, snatching his hand free. He collected the plates, and hurried to the kitchen.
Margery started to follow.
'Best leave him be,' said Dennis. 'It's none of our business really. Come on, let's go back to our cabin, I have some notes to study.'
As Dennis spoke, the ship creaked to one side, then rolled and creaked to the other. 'Oh dear,' he said, supporting himself on a chair, 'this isn't good,' He made a dash for the door, hurried back to the cabin, lay on his bed, and fell asleep.
Margery followed close behind and wondered how it was possible for anyone to fall asleep so fast. She found a boring old magazine about yachts, sat in her comfy chair beneath the round window, and leafed through the pages. An irritating dunk-dunk bass sound throbbed through the walls. She tolerated it for fifteen minutes, then sighed, and went in search of the noise.
Out in the hall, she saw the huge Leroy at the other end and thought about ducking back into her cabin. He hadn't seen her, so she waited quietly, hand on the door handle. Leroy faced a door and thumped his fist against it so hard she was sure he must have left a dent.
'Turn off that row, Timmy,' boomed Leroy, 'or I'll bust this door down first and bust your skull afterwards.'
The music stopped and Leroy turned to leave. He caught sight of Margery and glared at her with a disrespectful sneer, then entered his own cabin on the opposite side of the hall. Margery swallowed, braced herself, slunk to Timmy's door, and tapped softly.
'Timmy, it's me, Margery, may I come in?'
The door opened and Margery stepped in. The cabin was a lot smaller than hers and smelt of stale air and rotting socks. Evil looking posters covered the walls, rock stars, she supposed, with painted faces and black clothes. Why anyone should want to appear like the devil she couldn't imagine.
'You can sit on this chair,' said Timmy, transferring dirty laundry to his bed. 'Sorry about the mess.'
'Was that you playing music so loud?'
'Yes, did you hear it?'
'I should think the cod on the bottom of the ocean heard it.'
'I was playing along with my guitar, that's why it came out so loud. I usually play when we're in a storm–nobody can hear it then.'
Margery noticed an electric guitar on the bed with a curly wire plugged into a big black box. 'Why don't you use that one?' said Margery, pointing to an acoustic guitar hanging on the wall, covered in dust and grime.
'Me pa gave it to me when I was ten, just before he died. It ain't loud enough and I don't like it.'
A laptop computer stood on the desk. Behind it, half buried under music CDs was a grey and dusty cardboard box. A yellowing photograph hung above the desk. Margery bent closer to look. A young couple in a warm embrace smiled back at her.
'Who are these people?'
'That's me ma and pa, they got engaged in that picture.'
'They seem happy.'
'That's before I came along and spoilt things.'
Margery turned to look at Timmy. He was fiddling with his stone again. She turned back to the photograph and studied it for a moment. 'Is that pendant around your neck the same pendant your mother is wearing?' she asked.
'Yeah. Pa gave it to Ma when he proposed to her. They were poor and he couldn't afford an engagement ring. I played with the stone when I was a kid and the colours fascinated me.' He lifted the stone and held it to the light. 'If I hold it to the sun I can see right through and the colours glow and sparkle at different angles. It reminds me of happy days.'
'Happy days?'
'Yeah, early on, not many, hardly any really.'
The ship rocked with increasing violence and Margery rose to leave. 'I'm sorry,' she said, then paused at the door. 'Timmy, come and visit us whenever you want, you don't have to sit here alone. Promise me you'll come and see us.'
'Okay, Marge, I'd like that. You'd better get back to your cabin before the storm breaks. See you sometime.'
The icebreaker rose and fell against the approaching storm and Margery had to steady herself against the corridor walls. She felt vomit rise and a sudden hot flush made her sweat. She dashed to her bathroom and threw up. Relief lasted five minutes and then the nausea returned.
The cabin speaker popped into life and Captain Adam's calm voice crackled out. 'Please take heed, our old friend the Katabatic wind is waiting for us up ahead. Secure all loose objects and prepare for some rock 'n' roll. I would recommend our good doctors to strap themselves into bed.'