Crash Course by Derek Fee (freenovel24 .TXT) 📗

smiling. “David’s tried to give Mark a run around the bay in a speedboat.”

“And how did he do?” Morweena dropped her bag on the floor. She went to her father’s desk, sat down in his chair, and nonchalantly crossed her long legs.

“He,” Kane laid a sarcastic emphasis on the word, “is sitting in the room with the two of you. And he doesn’t like the stupid practice of speaking about the servants while they’re present.”

Morweena raised her eyebrows.

“I think that your father was impressed enough,” Tom said quickly. “Although I don’t think the silly bugger will ever admit it.”

Morweena shook her short blonde locks. “I presume our new driver knows the value of keeping your cool when driving a two-thousand-horsepower speedboat. If he does, he certainly isn’t displaying it here. But what he did display seemed pretty alright to me.” She smiled her dazzling smile.

“That’s enough I think, Morweena,” Amanda said sharply.

“Darling, great to see you.” David pushed his way into the crowded office and hugged his daughter. “I see you’ve already met our new driver?”

“Yes, I’ve had that somewhat dubious pleasure,” Morweena said.

“I can see that we’ll all be one big happy family.” Amanda smiled broadly.

Tom laughed out loud.

“I’m impressed with your man Watson.” David turned to face Tom. “Very impressed in fact. He seems to know a considerable amount about marine engines. We’ll need him later in the week when we’re fitting the drives. Any idea when we can expect delivery?”

“I checked with the factory yesterday,” Tom answered. “They’re being dispatched today so you should have them tomorrow at the latest.”

“That’s splendid.” David clapped his hands. “With a little luck we’ll have the engines and drives installed in three days and we’ll be ready to put the boat in the water for testing.”

“What about the throttleman?” Tom asked. “There’s still one slot on the team to fill.”

“Yes.” David looked distinctly ill at ease.

“You haven’t told him, have you, Daddy?” Morweena said looking into her father’s face.

“Not exactly.” David’s cheeks were beginning to redden. “Tom,” he said drawing in a deep breath. “It appears that we are both guilty of putting our own men on the team. My daughter has prevailed on me to nominate her as our throttleman. In effect, our team is complete.”

Bell raised his eyebrows and smiled. “That’s wonderful.”

“However,” David continued. “I hasten to add that in her case her inclusion in the team is justified by the fact that she took part in all last season’s Class Two offshore races and her performance was of the highest level. It was assumed by all and sundry that she would receive an offer from a Class One team and move up a grade. She received an offer from me. She’s in the team on merit not because of her last name.”

“And you don’t find that hypocritical?” Kane said.

“I’ll ignore that remark.” David’s red colour deepened.

“To hell with that.” Kane stuck his chin forward. “I’ll manage the driving and the throttle.”

“You don’t seem to understand, Kane,” David said. “A powerboat normally has a crew of two. The driver steers the boat and takes care of the navigation. The throttleman, as the name implies, mans the throttle and provides the trim for the boat. Perhaps until you’re a little more familiar with the sport, you would prefer to keep your mouth shut and your ears open. That way Tom and I might be able to recoup the investment we’ve made in the venture. And I can assure you that after your first outing, you’ll agree that enormous though your powers of concentration undoubtedly are, there is no human being alive who can control both the boat and the throttle. That’s why when you take your place behind the wheel, Morweena will be across from you manning the throttle. I think that we’re all agreed that we need at least one person in the boat who knows what they’re doing.”

“That’s telling him, Pops,” Morweena said from her chair.

“I’m getting a bit fed up with your attitude problem.” Kane stood up. “And I’ll solve it for you if you’re not careful.”

David stood his ground.

“I’ve had about as much of this rubbish as I can take.” Amanda moved between the two men. “This is day one of a long trip that we all have to make together. If we’re to succeed then we’ll have to work hard for each other. Now, if you two children are quite finished, I think we should get on with the task at hand. It’s apparent that Mark will drive the boat while Morweena will be throttleman, or woman. Let’s all forget our bruised egos for a second and remember what’s at stake here.”

“Well said, Amanda,” Tom said. “I know nothing about racing powerboats but I’ve been on the planet long enough to know that it’s a team sport. So let’s start building some team spirit.”

“I think that men are very sexy when they’re angry.” Morweena burst out laughing and Amanda and Tom joined her.

Kane wanted to join the rest of the company but that wouldn’t fit with his ‘bastard’ image. He finished dressing and scowled before leaving the room.

“Mark appears to have quite a temper,” Morweena observed staring at the retreating back. “And a hell of an ass.”

Chapter Ten

Kane was halfway across the yard before Tom caught up with him.

“Hold up there a minute.” Tom caught him by the shoulder. “I’m bloody bushed out by all this aggravation. You’ve managed pretty well to piss off both David and Morweena.”

“You paid for it now you’re getting it.” Kane turned to face him. “The bastard always meets aggression with aggression. David’s game was to take me down today. If I’d been any less of a bastard than I’m supposed to be, I wouldn’t be on the team right now no matter how much insisting you did. I’ve had dealings with men like him before. If you allowed him to, he’d walk all over you. He put his daughter on the team.”

“I don’t think you can question her