MARINA SAN MIGUEL
Craig rode past the security guard, ignoring his
shout, and cycled through the marina, admiring the yachts with a connoisseur’s
eye.
The A VENDRE sign seemed to be aimed directly at him,
but as he leaned his bike against the lamp-post a head popped out of the hatch.
‘You can’t leave that there.’
Craig grinned. ‘Not even if I’m a buyer?’
The man barked a laugh. ‘Oddest-looking sports car I’ve
ever seen.’
‘Appearances can be deceptive,’ Craig said, pulling a
supermarket bag full of cash from his basket. ‘I’ve just won the lottery – want
to show me round?’
There are many marinas in Tenerife, where we lived for fifteen years. Our friends owned a lovely old ocean-going boat, so this story is a tribute to Knotts Gypsy, in whom Dave sailed single-handed across the Atlantic. For 40 days we had no word - no indication whether he was alive or dead - then he came within mobile phone signal range and we watched from the beach in Las Galletas as he sailed past to San Miguel.
Thanks to CEAyr for the photo which prompted my memory and this story, and to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers. If you want to read other stories, or even to join in, go to her blog and click on the frog. https://rochellewisoff.com/
Fun story. Appearances can indeed be deceptive. I knew someone years ago who dressed so scruffily no one would have believed he was worth millions. Interesting to read your postscript about Dave too.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan. How Dave managed it I shall never know - he was dark brown and thin as a rail when he arrived.
DeleteDon't judge a cover by its book
ReplyDeleteOr words to that effect!
DeleteI hope his grocery bag wasn't the see-through variety :). Nice twist.
ReplyDeleteAnd why was he carrying it all in cash anyway? Not the sharpest knife in the drawer!
DeleteNever, as they say, judge a book by the cover.
ReplyDeleteNo, and he can always repaint the boat!
DeleteA bit different from my supermarket bag this morning! Thanks for sharing the story about Dave. That must have been a worrying time.
ReplyDeleteHis wife was trying to hide her concern but failing!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief that must've been when you finally heard from your friend. I have some friends who went to buy a car and the salesperson looked down at them for their mode of dress. Wasn't he surprised when they chose their car and paid cash? Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
We danced for joy when he finally got in touch. He was supposed to phone from some island en route but the weather stopped him from calling in there. I typed up his journal of the trip for him, and told him he should self-publish it for his grandchildren, but he never has.
DeleteI need one of those bags.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a journey on which Dave embarked, and, I'm sure, scary for everyone waiting with no communication.
You can't have the bag, it's mine! And yes, that was quite a journey.
DeleteHahaha the owner shouldn't have judged him so harshly. Still it sounds like it might be an easy sale
ReplyDeleteThe bike man looks keen, and with cash he should get a discount!
DeletePeople shouldn't assume. All types of people ride bikes. Not sure I would be game to carry that much cash around.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he doesn't trust banks?
Deletei was hoping it wasn't counterfeit money. :)
ReplyDeleteOh plaridel! You have a criminal mind!
DeleteThanks for playing.
ReplyDeleteRonda
Thanks for reading!
DeleteIsn't is true that our assumptions are often wrong. A nice tribute to Knotts Gypsy!
ReplyDeleteShe was a lovely wooden boat and served Davie well.
DeleteI like your fictionalized story. Lucky duck won the lotto. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteLucky indeed - I could use a small lottery win too!
DeleteOne must never judge by appearances alone... ;-)
ReplyDeleteAlthough we often make snap judgements, the trick is to take another look.
Delete