THE JOURNEY 

By Tessa Harvey

    They were only sailing across the Channel. The French word for this stretch of water was 'sleeve' (La Marche). But a storm came unexpectedly. It was not forecast. The waves grew immense and frightening. Patrick and Josie clung tightly to the metal rails. Patrick noticed uneasily that at times the ship's propellor was forced out of the water by the force of the wind and high waves.
    All the other passengers had been sent below decks but somehow they had been overlooked, tucked away in a corner near the lounge not far from the bow.
    The waves were increasing in stature. Patrick felt very uneasy. They were very vulnerable. They had not expected such a perilous storm to be had. 
    Not far away was one of the few lifeboats. "Josie," he said, having to speak right into her ear to be heard, "we need to get into that lifeboat. Keep holding onto me and we can slowly crawl. Never let go."
    Josie gripped his belt as he carefully crawled across the sharply tilting deck.
    They encouraged themselves by saying The Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23 over and over.

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