2

The Island

And then, up ahead, I see it! The island! I knew it was out here somewhere, I just wasn’t sure how far.

I head towards it, but the current seems to want to pull me out and round, rather than into shore. It’s my only chance, though. I’ve got to make it happen.

There’s a sort of a slipway, so I paddle straight up and onto it. Phew!

But when I try and get out of the boat, my foot skids on the seaweed. I fall forward and whack my head on the side of the kayak.

Slipway? You’re damn right, it’s a slipway! I’m slipping and sliding all over the place, trying to drag the stupid thing up out of the water. I can’t even stand, so I end up having to edge round behind it, sit on my bum and try pushing it with my feet.

It’s heavy, though, especially with all that water in. And every time I try to push it, all I end up doing is skidding back down the slipway on all that slimy green stuff and then having no end of trouble getting back up to the boat.

I manage to nudge it up a bit and then leave it, crawling up past the seaweed. Who cares? I’ve reached dry land.

I’m knackered from all that paddling. My arms ache. My back and bum ache. I’ve a massive great lump the size of an egg on my forehead from when I fell. I’m soaked through. And to top it all, my rucksack, with all the food and stuff, is soaking too. I’d pushed it in down behind the seat, to keep it safe, and forgotten all about it. Even when all the water started coming in. What a thicko!

I check the inside pocket of my coat. At least the money’s safe and dry.

There’s nothing here. I’ve been all over the island and there’s not a single sign of life. I came across five old cottages, all empty. All falling down.

I saw two done-up ones, but there’s nobody living in either of them, that’s for sure. They’re holiday cottages, I suppose.

Weird place for a holiday, if you ask me. I mean, what are you going to do all day? Stare at the empty sea?

I climb to the highest point of the island, looking back to where I came from. Over there, way in the distance, it’s all going on like it always does. Life. School. Fug and the flipping Thumps.

I sit on a rock and eat my soggy sandwich. I chew my soggy crisps. And then I realise how thirsty I am. Why didn’t I buy a drink in that stupid shop before I set off? There’s water all around me. But not a drop to drink.

I head back to the boat then, to decide what to do next.

But when I get to the slipway, it’s gone! The freaking kayak’s gone!

I look all around, in case I’m in the wrong place. In case someone somewhere is playing tricks on me.

And then I notice the seaweed’s gone too. The water’s come up and covered it all. It’s nearly reached the top of the slipway.

Oh my god! The tide’s come in! It’s taken my flipping kayak! Why didn’t I pull it up further? What a dimwit!

I look out to sea. There’s no sign of it. And then I spot the paddle, way off in the distance, floating. And I won’t tell you what I said right then, but I said it VERY VERY LOUD!

So I’m stuck here. On a desert island (except it’s not exactly a desert, but you know what I mean). With no food, no drink. Nowhere to get in out of the cold and rain. And no way to get off.

At least there’s no sign of Fug and the Thumps. But well done, Ben Hastings. You’ve really gone and done it now.