THE JOURNEY 

By Tessa Harvey

    What would have taken minutes on a fine day became an exhausting struggle. The wind tore ferociously at their saturated clothing, whipping Josie's hair across her face. Patrick heard her whimpering but she never faltered. They were both silent now, dwarfed by the howling fury of the storm.
    Trying to wedge his feet, Patrick finally pushed his wife under the ripping yellow tarpaulin of the tiny boat. The waves surged so hard, he banged his head sharply. He almost let go, but Josie had turned and was gripping his jacket hard.
    With a strength they did not expect, he was hauled into the lifeboat.
    "Tie yourself into the ropes, "he whispered, as for a few minutes the storm stilled. They could even hear desperate cries from the other people. Then the waves and wind pounded them again until they were battered into insensibility. They could not hear or speak or think. 
    The boat was torn from the sinking ship. When Josie opened her eyes, everything was calm and still. The yellow tarpaulin had somehow held and was quite tattered in parts, but it had remained largely intact.
    Beside her she felt Patrick and heard his breathing. But she felt also that they were not alone - and they were rocking on the sea. Their ship was gone.

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