Cry from a Young Throat

Southern England, 1923

He only took his eyes off Jip for a moment. Out at sea, an elegant yatch came sailing past. Jimmy raised a hand against the sun, then admired large sails and a sleek hull. He made calculations of her length, weight and speed. That was far more interesting than the poetry he had to learn at school. Pebbles on a beach crunched under him. He turned round. Jip the dog was nowhere to be seen. The boy called his name to no effect. Then he looked over brown edged waves that lapped between smooth pebbles. Jip had run through them and was swimming out to sea. Floppy ears trailed in the brine. Black headed gulls floated further out. The dog must be after them.

Jimmy ran into shallow water. Panic constricted his throat and speeded his heartbeats into overdrive. He shouted for his pet, so loudly it hurt his throat. The dog took no notice. The gap between them increased with terfifying speed. The youngster ran in up to his waist, but still he couldn't catch up. He had to turn around, wade ashore and run to seek help. He barely noticed that his shoes were full of water.

Teenage feet nearly ran past a timber ramp that stretched across rattling shingle. Then a man's voice called out asking "hey, what's the matter? Do you need help?"

Jimmy stopped and looked around. A young man came walking down the beach, parallel with that ramp. His feet just missed a stranded jellyfish. Now, fourteen year old Jimmy noticed a shed-like structure at the head of the ramp. Double doors were open and a long open boat could be seen in there.

"Please mister, my dog's out there in the sea and I can't get him back. Please, get someone to save him!"

He tried to force back tears but they came anyway.

The young man spoke again and the boy recognised a Welsh accent.

"My name's Nye and I work on the lifeboat," he said. "Its our job to save lives at sea. Come with me and, I can't promise a miracal but we'll do what we can"

They ran up the beach to what must be the lifeboat station. Nye ushered Jimmy inside. Other men were cleaning the boat or checking equipment. Nye called for their attention and repeated Jimmy's plea for help.

"What kind of dog is he?" Nye asked.

"He's a cocker spaniel, dark brown with a white chest."

Men grabbed lifejackets and other pieces of equipment. They pulled rubber boots on, then launched their boat. As she went down the slipway, a herring gull took flight to avoid her. Its back was grey, like a suit at a wedding. The bird soared above a coastal road, over hotels on the sea front. An errand boy peddled down one street while a lorry carried fish up another. The gull circled and then landed on a chimney stack. This chimney belonged to a fisherman's cottage, one of a whitewashed terrace. Indoors, below the gull, a young woman was preparing for her wedding. She wore a floor length dress, the colour of an Arctic bear, with a straight silhuette. Her name was Cathy Bladen. One of her couisins had come to help. This relative had come from humble origins, then made a good marriage and so had gone up in the world.

"There Cathy," said the cousin, "you look as if you're modelling for the Raphael brothers."

"They were the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Daisy," the bride to be replied.

"Oh, were they? Never mind dear, that's close enough." She adjusted her handbag.

"Do we have to have a Welsh hym?" Daisy enquired.

"Yes, its part of Nye's heritage and he's proud of it."

"Why didn't you let me pay for the reception ?" Daisy asked. "I meant it when I offered."

"Nye doesn't like being beholden to anyone," Cathy replied. She didn't add that Nye didn't like cousin Daisy. He had, at different times, used the terms "witch" and "dragon" to describe her.

The bride's father entered. He said "Cathy, we could be runnin' late. Nye and James have been called out."

"Oh well, saving people must come first," Daisy concluded.

"Its not for a person," Dad explained. "Its for a dog."

Daisy raised her eyebrows, then pursed up her lips.

Cathy said 'I really don't mind. It may be an animal but it'll mean somethin' to somebody won't it. Remember when I took Mouser in."

Daisy recalled a stray black cat, half starved, that Cathy had taken in. The pet had passed away, but after years of much improved life with the family.

Cathy felt worried about the impending ceremony. Would she remember her vows? What if she tripped over the hem of her dress? James would be pressed for time. Normally she would've trusted him with the ring, but would he forget it under pressure?

*

It was a calm summer morning. Even so, the lifeboatmen feared that one small dog would be hard to spot in a vast area. They rowed out close to the spot where Jip had entered salty water. Then they all scanned blue sea. The men wore cork lifejackets. All were in shirt sleeves. Rowing raised sweat in their armpits.

"Why couldn't he look after his dog properly?" James Millward grumbled.

"We don't know the full story James," Nye ap Morgan reminded him. "Don't rush to judge until we do."

"Yes, of course, its just that I'm worried about the animal. He's not to blame for his owner's mistakes."

Nye felt surprised. James had served in the Great War. He said little about it, but Nye had assumed that it would've hardened his heart. Nye had never had any pets while growing up. His father would have beaten a dog, as he had Nye.

Strong men pulled on long oars that acted like timber flippers. The name 'Blue Dolphin' was painted on pointed bows. Men raised powerful hands against sunlight on water. It looked like a road paved with diamonds.

"During the war, I got buried when a trench collapsed," James explained. "They sent in a dog, a border collie, to find me. I know Jip's from a different breed, but I feel as if I owe dogs my life."

James began to shake all over. Big muscles quaked like rocks in an earth tremor.

Cox said "Millward, you don't owe anyone an explanation. Stop thinkin' about the trenches. We'll never find Jip unless all of us are alert."

James regained control of himself. Nye supressed a shudder. Years earlier, he had been caught up in an explosion down a coal mine. Two friends of his had perished because of it. Soon after recovering Nye had left the coal field and fled to the south coast, where he lived now. Nye forced himself to concentrate on finding Jip. The distraction from bad memories was welcome.

Blue Dolphin went back and forth over placid waters. Sweat trickled into crew mens' eyes. Nye wondered if he would get to the church on time. He reminded himself that Cathy's dad had worked on the lifeboat for years, though now he had retired. Father and daughter would understand this situation.

Nye blinked at white light shimmering on blue water. He turned to avoid it and then noticed something. He saw a v shaped wake of ripples and foam before a dark brown head. No, it wasn't a dolphin. The ex miner shouted "sir, I think that's Jip, over to port!"

*

Daisy made her way to the lifeboat station, anxious for news of Nye and James. She approached from a coastal road that lead to the back of the station. She saw a young boy of about fourteen, sitting on the pavement near the building. He was clearly upset. He had taken wet shoes and socks off. Her shadow fell on him. Out at sea, breezes had made ribbons of foam, like dolphin paths in the deep blue. Daisy walked up to the boy. He looked up at her.

"Young man, whatever is the matter?" Daisy had guessed but wanted to make sure she was right.

"My dog's going to drown," Jimmy answered, "and its all my fault. I was looking out to sea, at a lovely yatch, and he ran into the water. I-I want to design boats when I'm older. I just had to take a look at that one. I-I wish I hadn't now.! I was a fathead!"

Daisy's response was kinder than even she had expected.

"We can't be sure that he's dead. Dogs are strong swimmers and the lifeboat's crew know what they're doing. Your pet might come ashore of his own accord. Don't give up hope yet."

A man came out of the station and went up to Jimmy.

"I've got good news for you son," he announced. "The boat's coming home and your dog is on board, alive."

Jimmy got up and asked "are you sure?"

"Yes I am."

Jimmy uttered a whoop of joy that could have been heard all across the town.

The lifeboat docked and her crew disembarked. A bead of sweat dropped off Nye's nose. It landed on the beach and mingled a bit of him with the land. Jip ran up to his master and reared up, resting small paws on young thighs. His tail was wagging at a high speed. Jimmy threw out his arms, laughed, knelt and hugged his pet. A long pink tongue shot out and licked Jimmy's face over and over again. The boy rubbed the spaniel's back, then enveloped him in another hug.

Nye said "I've got to go Jimmy, I'm getting married today and James is my best man. Some people will stay here in case there's another shout. They'll look after you and Jip until your parents arrive."

"We drew the short straw," another crewman said. "That dog of yours crapped in the boat and we'll have to clean it up."

Nye, James and Daisy turned and left the scene. They hurried into town. They had to wait on a kerb for a car to pass. Nye felt a tap on his shoulder, so hard it almost hurt. He turned round. His jaw dropped and he stepped back. The other two exchanged worried glances. A middle aged man had come up behind them. He spoke to Nye in a Celtic accent.

"Hello son, I've come for your wedding."

Nye responded saying "Dad, you're not invited."

Memories flashed through Nye's brain. Some were of his father,Yanto, hitting him. Others involved cowering in his room while Dad banged on the door until it shook. It had felt as if a gorilla was trying to break in.

In the present, James Millward stepped forward.

"Get out of our way," he snapped. "We've got a wedding to go to."

"So have I!" Nye's father snarled.

"I know what you did to Nye," James shot back.

"Oh, do you? Did he tell you I stopped them employing a child, back home at the pit?"

"Yes Dad, I know that," Nye replied, "but it doesn't alter the fact that you were hitting me at every chance you got. Tell me, did you do it for that child? Or did you just enjoy the confrontation for its own sake?"

Yanto drew in his breath sharply. He bunched up big fists, ready for a fight.

Cousin Daisy stepped in between Yanto and the younger men.

"Go away and don't come back," she ordered. "If you lay hands on either of these two, I shall call the police. The local inspector is also my brother-in-law, so any call from me will be given top priority."

Yanto stepped back with eyebrows knotted and nostris flaring. He uttered a stream of expletives, so loudly some people crossed the road to avoid him. Others turned round and walked back the way they had come. Then Yanto spun on his heels and marched away.

Nye let out a long, deep breath. "Thank you Daisy," he said. "Thank you very much."

"Thank God for your brother-in-law," James added.

"I havn't got an inspector for a brother-in-law," Daisy admitted, "but Nye's father doesn't know that."

Both men laughed on hearing this. Then all three of them broke into a run. Daisy held onto a wide brimmed hat. She went back to Cathy's house. Nye and James raced to the latter's home. They took it im turns to use a tin bath, then haistily changed into grey suits. They were accustomed to changing quickly from years on the lifeboat. James grabbed a box that contained the ring. Both men ran outside and soon reached a church. Its spire soared to a sharp tip, like a stone dagger. It contained inscriptions, memorials to the local gentry. They noticed with relief that the bride hadn't arrived yet. The crewmates took their places at the alter.

His Reverence said "its all right, I know you work on the lifeboat and you have to answer the call."

Nye's spine tingled, goosebumps rose on tanned skin and his mouth went dry. Then an organist began playing and he knew Cathy was on her way.

The ceremony progressed without any hitches or interruptions.A choir sang in perfect harmony. On any other day the bride and groom would've been amomg them. Nye and Cathy walked through a Gothic archway as husband and wife, arm in arm. Bells rang out. Confetti rained down on them. Some of his crewmates formed a guard of honour with raised oars. Cathy and Nye smiled broadly and their eyes sparkled with joy. Cousin Daisy looked on with pride. James looked hugely relieved that all had gone as planned.

Later that day, a reception was held at the hotel where Cathy worked as a maid. James made a speech. Everyone tucked into a spread of good food. Alcoholic drinks flowed. Nye drank a little too much cider, so he went outside to clear his head. After a few minutes he felt better. A blackbird foraged on recently hoed flowerbeds. Its feathers were black as coal, the beak yellow as a flame. Then Nye saw two familiar figures, one on two legs and the other on four.

He walked up to Jimmy and Jip. He patted the dog greeted the boy and asked why they were there. Jip reared up and reached out for Nye, but his master pulled him back lest he ruin the wedding suit. Jip's tail was like a bronze feather as he wagged it to and fro.

"I want to say a proper thank you for saving Jip," Jimmy explained. " i was so upset before I can't remember if I did. Dad said I must do it now. Thank you very much sir."

Nye spotted a mark under Jimmy's left eye. "Where did you get that?" He asked.

"I've been bullied at school," came the reply. "Another boy hit me and gave me a black eye. Dad went and complained about it. After that, the other boy stopped hitting me. but the mark needs time to heal."

"Why did he thump you?" Nye was both angry and concerned.

"I'm not good at sport and most boys at my school are. I try my best, I really do, but its never enough. Some boys despise me for it."

Nye looked Jimmy in the eye. It felt as if emotional strength was flowing from man to boy. Then Nye offered some advice.

"Well Jimmy, I congratulate you on surviving a hard time. That bodes well for your future. I know what it is to live in fear of a bully. When I was your age my Dad beat me with vigour. Sometimes I thought it would never end, but I ran away and it did end. Hold onto your ambitions. Even when things seem hopeless, you can be on the road to better days."

At their feet, Jip lowered his head and padded around sniffing sun warmed ground. Another spaniel had passed by earlier and her pheromones lingered.

"Thank you sir," said Jimmy. "I'll remember what you said."

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