Free Narrow Escape by Marie Browne

upcoming restricted lifestyle.
    Geoff shrugged. “He gets a lot of walks, he’ll cope as long as we put him on a long enough lead.” He frowned for a moment. “Actually I could put a long running line down the boat and we can link him to that, he’ll have almost as much freedom as he had when the fence was up.”
    Drew shook his head. “I’ll bet you a tenner he spends his whole life getting wrapped up in his own lead and you spend the rest of yours untangling him.”
    Well, I knew how bright Mortimer was, there was no way I’d take that bet. I jumped as Sarah, Drew’s wife, hammered on the door. Mortimer also jumped at the sound and managed to bash his head on the log burner.
    Sarah, commonly known as ‘Bill’, battled her way through Mortimer’s over-enthusiastic greeting and settled down on the sofa. I’d only just managed to refill the kettle and put it on the stove when there was yet another knock at the door. I winced, four adults, two kids, and a dog shaped like a piano stool was more than enough to fill any narrow boat, it was now standing room only. Keeping Mortimer back with one foot I opened the door and stuck my head out to see who was brave enough to walk all the way down the line to us in a wind that was rapidly becoming more than a little frisky. A bulky figure was silhouetted against the sky.
    â€œHere, just a little thank you.” A heavy bottle was pushed into my hand and with a wave the figure turned and walked away.
    â€œOh, erm, thanks,” I called. He gave me another wave, then head down and collar up he made quick progress back toward the marina.
    Back inside we studied the bottle. Large and black, it had a cork held down by wire. Worried by anything that has the potential to go ‘bang’ I regarded it with a raft of suspicion.
    â€œIs that champagne?” Bill peered over my shoulder as I was trying to work out what I’d been given.
    â€œNo, it says Cava.” I looked up at Geoff. “Can you have ten-year-old Cava?”
    He looked blank. “How on earth would I know? I haven’t had a drink since I was eighteen.” He took the bottle from me and turned it around in his hands. “I’m not even sure I know what Cava is.” He handed it back to me.
    We all looked at each other then shrugged. “It was for you as well, and Geoff doesn’t drink, do you want it?” I held it out toward Drew.
    He shook his head. “Nah,” he said. “You keep it, but I’ll tell you what, put the kettle on again and see if there’s any more pirate coffee. I’m almost certain you have another bottle in that cupboard of yours.’
    An hour later and we were all far too relaxed. “That’s not going to be the end of it you know.” Bill drained her hot chocolate and stared into the flames that were flickering red and orange behind the glass of the log burner.
    I giggled. “It will have to be, unless we drink the Cava, I’ve definitely run out of rum now.”
    â€œNo, you goose.” She climbed to her feet and began fishing around for her hat and gloves. “The fences coming down, I think that’s only the start of the changes they want to make around here.” She pulled her hat down over her long ponytail with a decisive movement. “I have a horrible feeling, she’s going to want to make some big alterations and we’re all just going to be in her way.”
    I peered up at her. “You don’t think she’d want the live-aboards out of here do you?” My happy fuzziness faded at the thought.
    Bill scratched her hat. “I don’t think we fit her idea of how life should be.”
    Geoff shook his head. “There’s been a boating community here for at least fifteen years, longer I think. I can’t see her getting rid of it, how would she pay the bills?”
    Bill shrugged and dragged Drew to his feet. “I may be