THE JOURNEY

By Tessa Harvey

    Josie nudged her husband awake. "Patrick, "she whispered. She took her courage in both hands, leaned on her elbows and made herself look. Two small faces looked back at her.
    "Lady awake," one said. "Is man nice?" asked the other, fearfully. "Yes," answered Josie, feeling she was part of a play being performed or in a strange dream. "Patrick is very friendly."
    At his name Patrick startled. He saw the children. "Hello." His voice was soft. He felt their fear. "Are you alone?"
    "Mama swimmed away," the little boy said, beginning to cry.
    "No, Joshie, no. She sank." The little girl leaned over the side of the boat. "Deep," she uttered miserably. "Want to go home right now!"
    The adults realised the children were possibly twins of perhaps three years. Their names were Jenna and Josh or Joshua. It seemed their mother had managed to drag them to the lifeboat and somehow push them in through a ripped section.
    Tragically she seemed to have drowned. Surely they would have heard her calling?

 

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