Chapter 3. Damage assessment
Pete had no alarm clock but woke each morning at six. This morning was the same.
Light filtered through the deck light and the barge moved with a little more
motion than the night before. The wind was getting up. Sliding back the bed
panel with one hand he gently disengaged himself from Trudy, took a shit and
made tea. As usual he didn't bother to dress until he had a few swigs of tea
inside him. The noise from the spoon stirring the mugs woke Trudy and she looked
out. She heard the river running outside and immediately wanted to pee. She
plodded softly to the loo. Pete noted her arse still looked sore and colourful
but she didn't seem to complain when she sat down. He knew though, she was still
tender there as she sat down with a delicacy that wasn't natural for her.
Returning to the galley, Trudy noticed Pete's cock was once again standing to
attention. Peeing had made her notice she was very tender in that area and she
wondered if Pete was going to demand another fuck session but all he did was
kiss her forehead, offer her the tea and sit beside her. Their bare arms touched
and she felt a thrill of anticipation run through her. Putting down her tea she
turned to him and gently held his cock. Slowly she began massaging it and then,
on impulse, she bent down and sucked it into her mouth. Pete hadn't expected
that but the experience was most enjoyable. Steadily she sucked and masturbated
him. Pete rubbed Trudy's neck and shoulders while she continued her
ministrations. It only took minutes before Pete's body reacted and with long,
pulsing spurts, he came directly in her mouth. Trudy swallowed and continued to
lick the cock clean for some minutes.
"Sorry, Trude, I should have told you I was going to cum. It all happened to
quickly. But thanks. It was a great way to start the day." Pete apologised
several times. Trudy said it was no big deal. She had done it many times before.
"One time I even had to do it to a sixty year old store manager to keep him from
prosecuting me and it took ages before he came," she remarked her eyes going
blank as she remembered the incident of two years previously.
Finishing their tea, they listened to the weather forecast before getting washed
and dressed. Trudy now in more a little more suitable attire for life on a boat.
Together they cooked breakfast but Trudy became very quiet while eating it. She
couldn't get her mind round the fact she had voluntarily sucked him off. This
big man who was holding her a virtual prisoner for the next few weeks. This man
who was at least seven years older than her. This man who had beaten her
yesterday. This man who had left her in darkness in a black hole. The man she
had hated until bedtime last night. Was it his prick that changed her? That
might have been part of it but unconsciously she thought it might also be the
way he was in charge of her. They way he had not allowed her to dominate him.
"Okay, Trude, work time. Would you do the dishes and clear up in here a bit
while I see what I can do to repair Sally. It will be cooler outside today as
the wind is getting up but it should keep dry and that's the main thing. If you
can't find anything just let me know. I'll either be on deck or in the workshop
- and you know where that is!" Pete beamed a smile at her which was enough to
make her grin as well.
"When is Alison coming?" The grin disappeared from Trudy's face and a worried
look took its place.
"Dunno for sure. About midday I expect." Pete put his arms around her shoulders
and gave her a hug, "I'll do what I can for you but no promises. Alison is a
rich bitch and an executive who normally makes up her own mind."
*******
It was after lunch when a motor launch came alongside and Pete helped Alison on
board. Alison was an attractive woman about 35ish, stylishly dressed in a sailor
suit complete with peaked cap. Pete had previously asked Trudy to put the kettle
on and to be on her best behaviour. When Pete suggested tea, Alison immediately
asked for coffee and when Trudy brought the mugs she was asked for it in a cup.
Pete sensed Trudy was likely to tell her to take it or leave it and raised his
eyebrows enough for Trudy to hold her tongue and change the mug for a cup.
"So this is the brat who wrecked my boat." Alison said, "Perhaps you had better
introduce us Peter." Pete did so and Alison remarked that it looked most
unlikely she would ever be able to pay for the repairs. She went on to produce a
folder with Browns estimate of the damage which they made out was far more
extensive than Pete had thought. Ayala's bowsprit was cracked and needed
replacing and the strain on the decking this had caused had started some of the
fastenings which would need replacing before water seeped and rot established.
There were numerous other items including filling the scores in the planking and
repainting the hull which could only be done when the boat was hauled up the
slipway. The estimate was for £4,567 not including any other problems they might
find when work began.
Pete knew Browns had upped the price on everything because it was a possible
insurance job but as Alison pointed out if she had it done on insurance she
would lose the no-claims bonus which was a considerable amount. Trudy didn't
have any insurance to cover it and Pete's wouldn't because his boat had been
stolen. "I shouldn't have to lose money because some stupid little bitch who
should have known better, damaged my boat. Then there is the inconvenience of
not having the use of Ayala while the repairs are done. What you doing about the
payment for damage to your Sally?"
"I'm going to do the work myself and she is going to work off the debt I would
have paid to the boatyard."
"Work off the debt by sleeping in your bed?"
"That's a bonus." Pete smiled at the thought but Alison didn't find it funny.
"Look, Peter, it might be alright for you to have her work on a old barge but I
wouldn't dare have her set foot on a fine ship like Ayala. So what are we going
to do about it?"
"First of all," Pete answered, "I suggest we inspect the damage to see just how
much Browns have exaggerated the problems. You know and I know any boatyard
makes the most out of work that is likely to be an insurance job. I certainly
didn't see half of the things on this list when we freed the Sally." This was
agreed and Pete and Alison headed for the launch. Trudy hung back but Pete
ordered her, much to Alison's disgust, to come with them. "You had better see at
first hand what we are talking about, even if you don't understand what you see
for the moment."
Once again the tide was running hard but Alison, skilled at handling the launch,
easily and gently brought it alongside Ayala. Pete had to agree the bowsprit
needed replacing but cracks in the deck seams were trivial and really only
needed at most a little caulking. Alison was also experienced enough to agree
but as she pointed out the total bill with the re-painting would still be close
to the £4,000 mark.
Returning to the Emma May, Pete asked if Alison had made up her mind what to do
about Trudy. "Well I am not having her work on my boat so the only thing I can
do to get some satisfaction is to prosecute and have her put out of harm's way
for a long time and my firm employs good lawyers who I am sure will see that is
done."
Pete saw Trudy's face fall and tears well in her eyes. What a change from the
defiant girl of yesterday. "If you do that Alison, it will mean more expense and
more trouble for you. I won't get my service from her, it will cause her mother
even more grief and when she comes out Trudy will probably have an even bigger
chip on her shoulder against you, me and society in general. Is there no way she
can work off the debt over a long period of time? Not on the boat of course."
"You know I run an escort agency don't you? Are you hinting that I employ her?
No way! Its for high class escorts not punk trash. How do you think she would
get on going to a top restaurant, or the opera or a dinner function? She might
be alright to share the hotel bed afterwards but that's all.
Trudy burst forward, thumped her fists on the table and snapped, "Oh. I'm not
high enough class of whore for you am I? Who said I would want to work for a
bitch like you anyway! If you're rich enough to own a posh boat like that, you
can afford to pay for a few repairs."
"Listen here you little runt, you deliberately damaged my property and I am
going to see you pay for it." Alison snorted her reply.
"If I had deliberately set out to damage your precious little boat, it would be
under the water now, not just sitting there with a few facial scratches!"
"Ladies, please," Pete tried to calm the situation, "Bickering is not going to
help anyone." Trudy looked as if she was going to scratch Alison eyes out. "Go
on deck until you've calmed down Trude."
"What so you can work out a deal with this fucking bitch to get me out of the
way?"
"No, there will be no deal without you knowing about it but getting angry and
starting a fight will only add to the difficulty. Now go on deck or do I have to
put you in the fo'c's'le?"
"I'm bloody well staying. Oooops. Oow!" Pete picked her up by her legs and
carried her upside down screaming obscenities to the fo'c's'le and lowered her
head first down. He shut the hatch but put the lights on when he re-entered the
cabin.
"Sorry about that Alison. She's a bit fiery and obviously you two have no love
for each other. Your worlds are so totally different. Now let's see if we can
work anything out. As you can tell I have some liking for her but that doesn't
mean I will let her get away with anything. She's already had a sore arse and
she hates the fo'c's'le especially when its dark."
"Peter, I don't think there is anything more to discuss. She wrecked my boat.
She cannot pay. She should be punished. End of story. Can my lawyers contact her
through you for the time being?"
"Yes. She should be here for the next couple of weeks unless she does a runner.
I'll let you know if that happens."
As Alison left she remarked, "Keep her under control Peter, if you can, and if I
come up with anything else I'll let you know too." It was not so much what she
said but the way she said it that made Pete wonder if she already had a plan.
Trudy was still cussing and swearing when Pete opened the hatch. "Are you going
to calm down or do you want another session over the bench with the sail
batten?" He had to shout to make himself heard about the noise she was making.
"Bastard! What have you set me up for now?" Trudy came partway up the ladder and
put her head out of the hatch. It was just starting to rain. "Damn," Pete
thought, "I shan't be able to get any more done on Sally today.
"You coming out or shall I shut the hatch again and get back in the dry?"
"You goin' to wallop me?"
"Not if you calm down and behave yourself although I think I ought after the way
you acted." They returned to the cabin. "Trude, I thought we could have struck
some sort of a deal with Alison but you made her so angry she wouldn't listen
and is now threatening a civil action for damages if the police won't do
anything. I tried to reason with her but could do nothing for you. She
determined to get you. You must learn to control that temper of yours. Do you
know one of the rules I learned when wrestling? Don't get angry, get even.
Okay?"
"Okay, I guess but I don't think I can help it. She seemed such a stuck-up rich
bitch and was making me out to be the scum of the earth."
By now the rain had increased and was sounding on the cabin top like a jazz
drummer. They sat in the cabin talking about the situation for a while till
Trudy asked about the painting on the bulkhead. "That's the Emma May in the
1930's when she was still a sailing barge. She didn't have an engine then and
relied on the wind to get from one place to another. Mainly she carried grain
between London and Colchester. All this space where the cabins and things are,
was an open space, the cargo hold and the cabin top above us was lift-off
hatches so the grain could be got in and taken out. In the 50's she had a Kelvin
petrol paraffin engine put in and worked for a while until the late sixties when
the main mast and sails were taken off and she was converted into a barge-yacht.
My uncle bought it in the late eighties and spent a lot of money on her to make
her seaworthy. Unfortunately he died suddenly so didn't get to use her much. He
left her to me with an annuity for her upkeep and enough for me to live
comfortably but not extravagantly."
"You're rich too then?" Trudy asked.
"Not really. Not like Alison. If I died and the barge and all my assets were
sold off, they would raise a lot of money. But the barge is my home and most of
the money is in bonds or shares which provide me with an income, a sort of wage
that I don't have to work for if you like. I also do a bit of magazine writing
that brings in a little money."
"What's in the locked room down the passage?"
"That's my lab and research room. You can come and look but some of the stuff is
delicate so don't touch."
The sight that greeted Trudy amazed and intrigued her. There were microscopes
and computer equipment. Glass tanks with goodness know what in them but air was
bubbling through the water. "What on earth are you studying?"
"It won't mean anything to you, but my main project is the life cycle of a
parasite of the common shore crab."
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Trudy grinned. "I could have told you all about
that!" Pete hooked up a horizontal microscope to a video camera and put a small
amount of water in a trough on the stage. When the screen flickered into life
and the focus was adjusted, Trudy saw the weirdest creature jerkily making its
way through the water. In her wildest dreams she couldn't have invented a
creature like it. It had huge eyes and long spikes and feathery feet and looked
as if it was made of glass. Trudy was absolutely fascinated. She asked question
after question and the afternoon passed so quickly Pete had to pull her away and
set her to making dinner.
"You are supposed to be working you know," he said, "if you're not going to put
the hours in, it will take a long while to clear your debt. Are you any good at
cooking?" Fortunately Trudy had learned to do basic cooking although much of
what she did was from tins or packets. Pete on the other hand was a fresh meat
and vegetables man but between them they quickly rustled up a meal.
Later when sitting with mugs of tea in the main cabin, Trudy asked why he didn't
have a TV. "Not enough time. Most evenings I would be in the lab or on the
computer so a TV would be a waste except for viewing the stuff I get from the
sea."
"Why are you not in there now?"
"Because I have a guest and I feel like giving her a hug and a cuddle."
"Oh, I thought I was just the maid. Guest's don't do housework do they?" She was
laughing as he tickled her and it wasn't long before they ended up in the bunk
making love fast and furiously.
"Trude?" Pete asked somewhat hesitantly, "You obviously have had sex with a lot
of men. Do you enjoy it or are you just putting on a show?"
"Yeah, I've been fucked by many men and boys, in many places, in many ways and
in every hole. Most times it was just for show or status. Only a few times was
it for real enjoyment but I can honestly say, that I enjoyed it the last two
days with you. Most times though it was as part of a gang. Bikers or punks, it
didn't really matter. To be one of the gang, the girls had to fuck almost any
boy at anytime, usually several at the same session. I just got used to it. Been
doing it since I was thirteen."
"That young?"
"Well I knew about it before then and had sucked a few boys off. My girlfriend
at the time had an older sister who allowed us to watch while her boyfriend
screwed her. After watching one session the boyfriend gave me his cock to suck
and it went on from there. I was always a tomboy and trying to appear tough so I
tried to get in with a gang of punks. Couldn't afford the leathers they wore so
they helped me steal then. In return, the leader said I would have to let all of
them fuck me. I was taken to an old store place and laid down. They stripped me
completely and each took a turn. I had three of them for my first time. It hurt.
It hurt like hell but I had to appear tough so the pain was nothing. After that
I let them do it whenever they wanted. If I was bleeding, they often wanted me
to suck them instead although some just wanted a messy shag. Others shoved their
pricks up my arse. Again it hurt but I had to appear tough."
"Was there no one you actually loved or had a decent relationship with?"
"There was Robert. He was nice to me but he was a wimp. I liked him but he
couldn't stand up for himself against boys in the gang so he gave me up. I did
sleep with him a couple of times. Actually went to bed with him. Not just quick
fucks in some corner."
"If you weren't here, would you still be getting screwed in some corner?"
"I guess so."
"Don't you think yourself worth more than that?"
"Didn't try to think about it."
"Well you've a couple of weeks to think about it now," Pete averred, "I like you
and I do think you deserve better. It may not be with me but I think you should
look and take stock of yourself. To me, as an outsider to gang ways, it seems
you are outwardly trying to appear independent and self reliant, but in reality
your whole life is dictated by the others in the gang. End of sermon!"
