Day 299

Forward spring's slack. Tide pulled it sideways. Stay on the planks — the rotten ones are marked.

Crouch at the cleat, pull the forward spring tight, and re-snub it with a rolling hitch, then test the tension with body weight.

Fair enough. Radio at 0800. I'll leave the bag by the set.

Stand, wipe hands on trousers, and walk back toward the cottage alongside her, matching pace to the bad ankle.

Lines are sound. Forward spring took the strain clean. You want the garden first or the radio check?

lean against the dock post, arms folded, watching the fog bank roll over the water

Porridge and the last of the corned beef. Ten minutes.

turn toward the cottage, pace slowed to match her limp

Didn't say you couldn't.

walk up the path, not looking back, knowing she's close behind

Won't burn it. Promise.

push open the cottage door and step inside, holding it for her to pass through

I'll do the dishes. You stay off that ankle.

collect the bowls and walk to the cottage sink

(rinse the bowls) The tin's damp but the seeds inside are dry enough. I checked the silica packet this morning — still blue.

wipe the counter with a rag and move to the generator to check the oil level

Fair. I'll grab the fresh silica from the supply crate while I'm out there.

finish checking the generator oil (it's at the full mark), then walk to the supply crate near the porch to get a fresh silica packet and a dry cloth for the seed tin

Here.

hand her the fresh silica packet and the dry cloth, then lean against the doorframe watching the clouds thicken over the water

(quiet) It's clean. I re-sorted it after the last check.

push off the doorframe and walk slowly to the garden to check the tarp corners — one's flapping again in the rising wind

Reckon we've got an hour before the water hits the lower garden wall. Want to stake the last row while I check the dinghy's forward spring?

walk to the dock and inspect the dinghy's forward spring line, testing tension with my hand

Kevin — walk back from the dock to the garden, crouch beside her and press two fingers gently above the ankle bone to check the swelling

Your call. But if that ankle gives out on the tide line, I'm not carrying you and the tomatoes both.

stand up, wipe my hands on my trousers, and walk to the cottage to fetch the first aid kit and the antibiotic blister pack from the windowsill

Kevin — enter the cottage, grab the first aid kit from the shelf and the antibiotic blister pack from the windowsill, then return to the garden and sit on the low wall beside her

You want tea or something stronger? Got the corned beef fat rendered if you're hungry.

Walk to the wood stove, lift the kettle lid to check water level.

Tea's on. I'll wrap that ankle after — got the driftwood splints still dry by the door.

Pour hot water into two chipped mugs, drop in a spoonful of moss tea from the tin Jenny keeps labeled. Set one in front of her, keep mine warm on the stove edge.

You want to talk about it, or you want me to shut up and let you drink?

Lean against the counter, cradle my mug, watch the porch through the window — the sky bruising purple at the horizon.

(nothing — just a slow nod, the corner of my mouth twitching once)

Drink the tea hot and bitter, set the mug down hard on the table, pull the oilskin bag from under the chart table and set it beside the radio. The letter inside shifts with a dry papery sound.

Boat's due Thursday. If it comes.

Pick up the bag, weigh it in one hand, then set it back on the shelf beside the radio — not in it, not under the chart table. On the shelf. Where it can't be missed.

Then we'll be ready. Lines checked, lamp trimmed, fire banked. And if it don't come? We'll wait another ten.

Push back from the counter, limp slightly myself from standing too long on the boards, walk to the door and yank it open — wind snatches the rain sideways, first drops stinging hot on my face.

Sorry. Door's shut.

Pull the door closed, latch the bolt, turn the key in the deadlock twice — old habit from the ships. Then walk over, take the empty mug from her hands, set it in the sink, and fill the kettle again.

Wind’s picking up. I’m going to check the dinghy lines — you stay off that ankle.

walk to the dock, grab the marlin spike from the tool bag, and inspect the forward spring line and mooring ring for chafe or slack.

Heard. I’ll sort it.

inspect the mooring ring mortise, test the ring’s movement under foot pressure, then retrieve the mallet and remaining oak wedges from the workshop to re-wedge it tighter.

Kevin — finish seating the oak wedges firmly with the mallet, then apply penetrating oil to the stainless through-bolts and torque them to 35Nm with the wrench to clamp the ring solid.