Learning to Love (New Zealand Sailing #1)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ellie

In the few days up to New Year's Eve, Sam and I haven't been able to see each other. I worked every day, he was busy with meetings and TV and radio interviews. He didn't even get to see Corey, as he was coming down to Auckland from his family home in Mangonui for New Year's.

By the time 31st came around, I'd been chomping at the bit. I can't wait to move in with Sam, and see him nearly every day.

We're spending New Year's at Paddy and Gracie's, and it feels like the perfect way to end the year. This year brought me Sam. Who knows what next year has in store. Tayla and I will catch a taxi there, and Corey is also invited, though we're not sure he'll turn up. I still need to give him the presents I bought for him in O'Neill's Bay.

Tayla and I have really pushed the boat out with our outfits, even though we're among friends. I want to impress Sam, because I haven't seen him for a few days now, so I'm wearing the shortest dress I've got. I wonder who Tayla's trying to impress with her sheer dress, whether she does have a soft spot for Corey after all.

When we get to Paddy and Gracie's, I have a deja vu. Last time I was there, I met the love of my life. This time, Sam's already there waiting, and sweeps me off my feet literally, kissing me until I'm dizzy.

“Hey, get a room, you two. Come in, Tayla, let these losers at it”. Corey pokes his head from around the corner, and Tayla moves past us into the house, laughing, and more importantly, leaving us alone.

“I missed you, sweet. Only two more days until you move in. I'm beside myself”. Sam starts kissing me again, in the doorway.

“You'll be beside yourself when you see my 300 skincare products in the bathroom, and won't have a corner to put your stuff on”. He finds that funny.

“I can't wait. Let's go in now, everyone's here already”. We pick up drinks on the way outside, and spend the next couple of hours chatting, cracking jokes, and dancing. I give Corey his presents, and he seems pleasantly surprised, but jokes that he may forget them somewhere along the way.

Tayla and Corey seem to be spending an awfully long time together. His hand is on her shoulder, and he's whispering something in her ear, making her laugh.

“Look at that”. I point them out to Sam.

“At what?” He's oblivious.

“Corey and Tayla have the hots for each other”.

Sam rolls his eyes. “Corey's not into relationships. Don't get your hopes up”.

I put my arms around his neck. “Neither were you. Into relationships. Now look at us”. He kisses me.

“Get your champagne, everyone, we’re starting the countdown”. Paddy’s busily handing out champagne glasses to everyone, starting with Gracie.

Fireworks explode from the Sky Tower, and Sam and I kiss like there's no tomorrow, oblivious to everyone and everything around us.

Sam

When Ellie said she'd cover all surfaces in the bathroom with creams and potions, I thought she was joking. As I pack my bag for a few nights away training, I shake my head at the amount of STUFF .

The move went smoothly. Corinne, a friend of a friend of Tayla's, took Ellie's room, and we hired a van to get everything here. Some more artwork appeared on the walls, dog toys scattered around the house, and many many clothes, shoes and handbags in the closet.

Even though my life has been turned upside down, Ellie has been with me every night, and I couldn't be happier.

“Darling, I'm off now. The guys are picking me up in a few minutes”. I grab my duffel bag, I kiss her squarely on the lips. Daisy dog whines and wags her tail. I give her some rubs, and go out to the team van.

I'll be away for five nights this time, probably the longest I've been away from Ellie since we met. As I get into the van I take one last look at my love standing in the doorway, all petite, with dark hair tousled, and I wish I could go back to stay. How many more goodbyes will there have to be?

Jake notices I'm silent again. Out of all of the team, he knows best what it's like to leave a loved one every time. “I would like to tell you it gets easier, mate. But it doesn't. It is what it is”. He pats me on the back. “At least you guys are living together now, when you come back you see her straight away”. The silver lining.

We drive three hours away North towards one of our training facilities. It's going to be a grueling few days. We haven't trained in a month, and it will show. To take my mind off being away from Ellie, I start devising tactics on how to manoeuvre the boat at high speeds, over 50 knots or 90kms/hour.

“The Brits will also be training in the vicinity, if you can believe it”. Jay gives me a welcome piece of news.

“Right on, great news. We can take a look, and check out their strengths and weaknesses. No doubt they'll be doing the same”.

Coach agrees and gives me thumbs up.

The journey passes quickly, and I sleep that night soundly, dreaming of Ellie. The next day, both our boat and the British boat are out on the water. I wave at Luke Bailie, the British team skipper, from a distance. He nods and waves back.

We're relentless, sailing for hours, testing the boat's limits until we can't push anymore. At the end of each day, after communal dinner, we crash in our bunks and drift off into dreamless sleep.

On day four, the weather makes it impossible for us to train. Gales and summer storms batter the area, and we stay indoors mostly, discussing tactics and technical plans.

“Boys, the weather’s packing in for the week. We’ll go back early tomorrow morning. No point hanging around here. I know some of you are pining”. Coach winks at me. I roll my eyes. I thought I'd put this to rest.

At the same time, my phone, Corey’s phone, and Florian’s phone vibrate. We all look puzzled, and check our phones.

“Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the Round the World Ocean Race, departing from Malaga, Spain on March 1st”. Corey reads out loud the same message that I’m reading but struggling to process.

“Yeah boi! We’ve done it!”. Corey and Florian jump up, whooping and making a victory dance. The other teammates and Coach cheer them on.

“You coming, Sam?” Florian doesn’t let up.

I smile sadly. “Of course, how could I not. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity”. I'd signed up for this a while ago, just before I met Ellie. It's an amazing opportunity for any sailor, but why do I feel like I've been split in half?

Corey knows something’s up. He looks at me pointedly. “ This is not about Ellie, is it?”

I look straight at him, not saying a word.

“There are stopovers after each leg every 3-4 weeks. She can come to Brazil, Hong Kong etc. Like an exotic holiday every month. I’d be up for that”. Corey laughs.

“When you put it like that… maybe I’ve got a chance. I’m doing it anyway”. I’m being quite belligerent now. “I’ve wanted to do it since I was a child. How many people can say they’ve sailed around Cape Horn?” My rhetorical question touches many of the team.

“Well, if you change your mind, I want to go in your place”. Matt chimes in, but Florian looks at him strangely. “No fucking way. It’s Sam’s place, he earned it, just like Corey and I earned ours”.

I can tell this is turning sour so I intervene and put my hands up. “Guys, I’m going, alright. Ellie’s just going to have to deal with it, and so will I. We’re grown-ups, sailing is what I do, and tough luck”.

My words seem to calm the spirits, and they continue chatting about what life at sea will be like, even start singing some old bawdy sea shanties, to Coach’s great delight.

I don’t join in the singing, and can’t help but fervently for this damn kombucha type health drink to turn into some strong whisky. Not allowed to drink while in training, and today is definitely one of those days where I need a double.

Where’s that St. Brendan pendant… here it is. I’d left it behind in my wallet today, and now I’m holding it, and thinking how will Ellie react to me going away for essentially six months, with some breaks in between. What Corey said makes sense. She could come to the ports we dock at, and we could have a couple of days together here and there. She could even leave her job at the daycare after all. She doesn’t need to work. I just hope it’s enough.