Chapter 1- Fence Deep
The Fence glittered on the horizon like a promise.
Or a warning.
Dawn was a glorious affair on Clifton Island in June.
From the end of the Old Pier, the world appeared to be nothing but sky and sea, the peach and pink blush reflected in the mirror still surface of the water. Minoo lifted her face to the sun, fingers gripping the peeling top rail she sat on, feet resting on a lower rail.
Metal glinted in the distance, barely a kiss of light upon the waves. Beautiful. Unless you knew.
Jazz nudged her shoulder and passed his roll up, blowing smoke rings into the cobalt sky.
Minoo took a shallow drag, eyes drawn to the familiar yellow and white ferry cutting through the glass like sea. Her shoulders dropped a little.
“You didn’t hear my show last night did you cuz?” Jazz squinted into the horizon and stretched his legs from their resting spot, making Minoo nervous as he hovered there, high above the darker waters below the boardwalk of the pier.
“No, I froze my ass off working the harbour front. Why?” She handed back the smoke, and let her eyes drift back towards the ferry, scanning the bodies crammed onto the deck.
“Figured you’d have been askin’ if you had that’s all.”
“Do I need to formally apply for this information or what? Fuck sake tell me.”
“Rumour from out west is the Western Barrier has fallen.”
Minoo stilled, heart hammering.
“Verified?”
Jazz side eyed her and she rolled her eyes. “Can’t blame a girl for asking.”
She shivered, as her mind raced with the news Jazz had just upended her world with.
A bell pealed, and old man Morgan called it. “Angel’s home. Hands to anchors.”
Yawning men caught thick nylon ropes and the ferry was moored in its bay, plank down.
The cousins watched the Steelers stagger from the vessel, eager for food, or sleep, or simply land.
“You think it’s possible Jazz?” Minoo scanned the crowds, distracted.
“I share the speculation, not in the speculation.” He winked and she huffed. Whatever.
“I’m sure someone mentioned Rik was at the tables last night.” Min shared the suspicion with her cousin, hoping it wasn’t her uncle Rik the punters had been talking about. Now Jazz jumped from his perch to the boardwalk and groaned, head to the sky.
“That bastard needs to swan dive off Cliff Top fucking View.” She didn't argue.
“Be safe M.”
“Always Z.”
Jazz swung his duffel over his shoulder and joined the passing throng of bodies, threading between the tired mass, heading toward the shuttle ferry docked on the Short Pier down the waterfront.
Large hands lifted her from the railing and deposited her on the pier.
“Waiting for me Noo?”
She bit back the smile the four words triggered.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Some of us have actual jobs to get to, Captain.” Turning, Minoo took him in.
Jamie Bonny.
Captain of the Bonnie Angel. He was the quiet sea, and the turmoil below, his green eyes sharp, and gaze steady. He grinned at her haughty expression as he picked up her backpack and placed a hand at the small of her back, not quite touching.
They began walking.
“Captain today is it?” He glanced down at her, eyes narrowing. “Interesting.”
“What? It’s your name isn’t it?” Her skin hummed as he steered her around a straggle of bodies waiting for the Harbour Office to open.
“Captain.” The men nodded, and he nodded back, barely breaking his stride.
The café came into view, and he settled beside her, arms brushing.
She noted his split eyebrow, and swollen bottom lip.
“What happened?” She asked, leaning in closer, hand reaching to skim his hair from the damage.
“Gonna be my nightingale Noo?” He smirked and she let her hand fall, stepping back. She sat on a cast iron chair on the cobbles and let the morning sun hide the flush in her cheeks.
“Tide take you Jamie, suit yourself.”
He caught her hand across the table, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. For a moment, the world stilled. The sun shone, the sea shimmered, and sitting outside a sea front café to order coffee after a night shift felt like peace. Minoo allowed herself to pretend this was home, and this was real.
But it was an illusion. How can a prison be anything but? The steel of the Fence blazed a familiar glare where it reflected in the waves on the horizon.
She slipped her hand from his, as Theresa approached with the coffee they had ordered. Jamie slid the warmer one toward Minoo without looking, keeping the chipped mug for himself.
“Rode a rogue wave as we tied off.” He thumbed his lip and shrugged. “My face caught the rail.”
She blinked at him, chest tightening at the description.
“Everyone okay?”
“Present and correct. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t worry.”
The lie lay between them as they took in the morning sun and caffeine.
“Wave watchers say the Western Fence is down.” She threw the words out, scanning his face, trying to gauge his thoughts.
He nodded, and laced his fingers together, tipping his head back and stretching his long legs out, like a cat unfurling in a patch of light.
“I heard.”
The morning hum of the island waking up softened the silence.
“That all you have to say about it?”
He squinted one eye open at her.
“Nothing else to say Min.”
“Fence deep, cliff high huh.”
“Island strong sweetheart. Island strong.” He winked at her, and her heart stuttered. She’d hitched it to an anchor and it hurt like hell to be reminded.
They sat in quiet contemplation for long moments. Her throat felt full and she stood abruptly.
“I’m heading home. Sleep tight Captain.”
“Sweet dreams you mean Min?” He stood, same as always, and handed over her bag. His eyes settled on hers.
“How come you don’t wanna run Jamie?” The whisper fell out before she could claw it back.
He tucked a stray black hair behind her ear as he leaned down.
“How come you don’t wanna stay, Min?”
The moment grew heavy, then something else shattered the impasse.
“Min honey you better get home. Something happened to your mother.”
Theresa's words were fading before she could even fathom a reaction. Feet pounding, she ran for the cliff path, toward her mother.
