Page 12 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure

Chapter Ten

A s the sun descended over the coastal town of Portsmouth, Atticus drove Winnie onto the Brittany Ferry Galicia , under the dying light of the day.

Constantly checking his mirrors, he took great care to follow the instructions from attendants in high-vis jackets as he warily negotiated the camper onto the car deck and parked tightly alongside motorhomes, cars, and caravans.

‘Phew, we made it,’ Atticus said to Ness, breathing a sigh of relief as he sat back to watch passengers pile out of their vehicles, gathering overnight bags for the crossing. Ness perked up as she heard barks and yips, her tail wagging gently.

‘You’re not the only canine traveller,’ Atticus said, hooking a lead on Ness’s collar.

‘And I’m afraid you have to wear this.’ He slipped a muzzle from a side pocket on the dog.

Raising a paw, Ness tried to unhook the mouthguard but stopped when Atticus tapped her on the head.

‘It won’t be for long, but it’s a rule when you board,’ he said.

Climbing out of Winnie, Atticus picked up his pre-packed rucksack and, taking care to lock Winnie, followed the crowd heading out of the car deck and onto the ship.

After passing through customs, he’d received his boarding card and cabin number.

Atticus was pleased that he’d successfully checked Ness in as well, managing the complicated paperwork and microchip check.

He silently thanked Arthur and Jake for their research on travelling with an animal.

The pet-friendly cabin was comfortable and spacious, with two berths and an ensuite bathroom. ‘We even have a porthole,’ Atticus mused as he stared out at the dark silhouettes of buildings lining the harbour.

As the engines rumbled to life and the ship glided away from land, Atticus wandered around the decks, leaving Ness in the cabin.

Beneath his feet, he felt a gentle sway as the ferry gained momentum, and the lights from the shore became a distant blur.

The scent of the sea and the sound of the waves lapping against the hull had been soothing, and Atticus, who’d been anxious after his angry exchange with Mungo, felt his worries slowly sliding away.

Here he was! At last able to chart his own course .

So, Clara, this is what travelling abroad feels like , Atticus thought as he sat in the bar a short while later and ordered a pint. There was a buzz of activity all around him as passengers explored the ship’s amenities and settled into their seats.

Atticus toyed with visiting one of the many restaurants and having a snack.

But he’d enjoyed fish and chips with Ness that afternoon and needed no further refreshment.

He’d noted a film showing in the cinema and, soon to start, a cabaret act in the theatre.

Promising himself a stroll around the luxurious duty-free shops, Atticus was in awe of all the entertainment and the many facilities available to make the journey comfortable.

With a full day ahead tomorrow and another night at sea, Atticus would have nothing to do but explore, and he intended to make the most of his onboard stay.

Draining his pint, Atticus checked his watch. Having travelled through the night, he yawned, realised he was tired, and decided to go to bed. But Ness would need exercise and a comfort break before they turned in.

On the doggie deck, Atticus again thought of Mungo and wished his son had seen sense.

Gripping Ness’s lead as she tugged in pursuit of a tail-wagging Westie, he wondered if things would ever be right between them.

But Atticus knew that Mungo, when vexed, was as stubborn as his father and dismissing the thought, he decided that as soon as he arrived at his destination, he would get in touch with Mary.

His daughter, no doubt delighted, would know what to do and laugh joyfully at the thought of her dad off on an adventure.

As his head hit the pillow, Atticus’s last thoughts were of sunshine and sandy beaches.

He remembered the website for the Spanish campsite and visualised strolling along the shores of the Mediterranean with the sea as a calm, mesmerising canvas.

In moments, all thoughts of his row with Mungo had gone, and with Ness snoring beside him, Atticus fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Thirty-two hours later, as the Galicia docked in Santander, a pale-faced Atticus sat on the car deck behind Winnie’s wheel, waiting to disembark. He wondered if he was going to throw up again and prayed that the dry toast he’d managed to eat at breakfast had settled in his stomach.

The sailing, which had begun innocuously as the ferry departed, soon became a nightmare for Atticus, who was unaware of an impending storm.

As they ventured south to leave the English Channel and head along the coast of France, Atticus was woken by the sound of waves crashing against the vessel.

Determined to ignore the elements, he’d gripped a pillow over his head and tried to sleep.

But a curious feeling in the pit of his stomach had begun, and feeling queasy, Atticus sat up.

‘Oh, Ness…’ he murmured as he gripped the side of the bed and raced to the bathroom. ‘I shouldn’t have had greasy fish and chips for tea.’

As the ship entered the Bay of Biscay, it mirrored Atticus’s stomach, pitching and rolling.

Gigantic waves created swells, rising then falling with relentless fury.

The storm was vicious throughout the following day, and over the public address system piped into the cabins, the ship’s purser advised passengers not to move around the ship for their own safety.

‘Huh!’ Atticus said to Ness as he raced to the bathroom again. ‘Walking about is as likely as a pig flying!’

Finally, after an eternity, the storm began to relent.

The wind subsided, and the waves became calm.

Relieved passengers emerged from their sheltered corners to enjoy a pleasant evening and a good night’s sleep.

But Atticus wasn’t taking any chances. Other than venturing out of his cabin to walk the dog, he lay on his bed, restlessly drowsing and counting the hours until they arrived in Santander.

His stomach had received a battering, and he needed to calm it down.

When the purser announced that the Galicia would dock that morning at eight o’clock and their arrival was imminent, Atticus, dressed and ready for the onward journey, slipped out of the cabin to walk on the doggie deck with Ness.

With clear weather and good visibility, as they entered the bay of Santander, another dog owner greeted them.

‘Ey up!’ The man’s accent was broad, and with a smile, he pointed out a lighthouse sitting on top of the cliffs.

Informing Atticus that it was called Cabo Mayor after the cliffs it was perched on, he then indicated the Palacio de la Magdalena.

‘Aye, the impressive palace is an iconic Spanish landmark,’ he added.

The man introduced himself as Martin from Yorkshire. His dog, a Westie named Fred, made friends with Ness, while Martin told Atticus that he was heading to his apartment in Benidorm with his partner.

They chatted for some time, and Martin explained the benefits of Benidorm and why he liked living there. ‘It’s a popular resort on the Costa Blanca with a right good climate, lovely beaches, and great entertainment and nightlife,’ he said in his Yorkshire tone.

Martin was insistent that Atticus visit. Wanting to know all about Atticus’s plans, he nodded with approval when Atticus explained that he was heading to Guardamar, south of Alicante, and that it was his first time abroad.

‘Benidorm isn’t far away, about a two-hour drive.’ Martin handed Atticus a business card. ‘Come to the Starlight Show Bar and make sure you ask for me. I run the club with my partner.’

As Atticus fastened Ness’s safety strap and joined Winnie to the line of vehicles leaving the ship, he thought that Martin had seemed a friendly type and decided that he might make a trip to Benidorm.

He remembered that Arthur and Jake had included Benidorm on Atticus’s ‘Places to Visit’ schedule in the folder, adding a note that it was a popular resort for British holidaymakers.

‘Perhaps we’ll have a drive there one day,’ Atticus said as he negotiated Winnie slowly down a ramp.

Overhead, the cry of seagulls mingled with the bustle of port activity, and the warmth of an October sun and bright blue skies greeted the new arrivals as port officials took them smoothly through the customs checking area.

Atticus felt nervous as he drove on the right-hand side of the road and, once again, whispered thanks to Arthur and Jake for setting up the satnav, which had seamlessly picked up Spanish GPS signals and mapped out the route.

With the early start and the torturous sea journey behind them, six hundred miles of open road lay ahead.

Atticus began to feel better. He sucked on an Uncle Joe’s mint ball, which soothed his stomach, and thought of the upcoming itinerary, carefully planned with Arthur and Jake’s help.

They’d all spent hours studying a map book, deciding that Winnie’s top speed would only manage at most three hundred miles daily.

Atticus must be sure to have plenty of stops for coffee and food – and not to forget Ness, as the old dog would need her comfort breaks too.

As they left the port and started the journey, the satnav instructed, ‘At the roundabout, take the second exit onto S-20 heading to Salida Ciudad.’

Atticus smiled. Driving abroad was easy , he told himself. Clara, we’re on our way!