Page 78 of The Woodcarver's Model
“Is there a problem with the Gabriola dock?” Mitch asked.
“Nope,” she answered.
After a few minutes Mitch asked, “Where’s Francis headed?”
“Straight to Nanaimo. That’s where yer headed, ain’t it?”
“But are you allowed to dock there?”
“Let’s see ’em stop us.”
“But why?”
“This’ll cut off a few hours o’ travel time.” She slapped her hand down on the door, fending off the impulse to wipe away a tear.
In the wheelhouse of his ferry, Francis got on the radio.
“Duke Point Terminal. Duke Point Terminal, this is the Motor VesselFrances 2. Repeat, this is the Motor VesselFrances 2out of Marsh Island. Over.”
The radio crackled.
“Is that you, Francis?”
“It sure is. Is that Mike?”
“It sure is. Gads, it’s been forever since I heard that ratty old voice o’ yours.” They both laughed. “What can I do fer ya?”
“Is our old pier still in one piece?”
“Sure is. They just pumped a couple o’ hundred grand into fixin’ it up for pleasure craft.”
“Gonna need it, Mike. We got an emergency on board an’ I need the okay to dock an’ unload a pickup with two people bound fer the General.”
“One truck, two people bound for the General. Got it, Francis. We’ll clear the pier for ya. Do you need ambulance and paramedics on-site?”
“No need, Mike. Got everythin’ under control. Just need the dock.”
“You got it, Francis. We’ll be ready for ya. Give my best to Frances for me.”
“Will do, Mike. Over.”
Francis leaned out the wheelhouse window and shouted, “Mike sends his regards.”
“That’s nice o’ him to remember,” Frances responded.
“Better take your position. We’ll be there in a bit.”
“Your position?” Mitch asked Frances.
“Yup. Yer drivin’ me t’ the hospital on account o’ my problem.”
“You’ve got a problem?” Mitch asked.
“Sure do, an’ right about now that’s gettin’ you an’ this truck off this ferry.”
As they approached the small pier at the Duke Island Ferry Terminal, now only used to handle the large BC Ferry traffic, the islanders on theFrances 2could see a scurry of activity as they cleared people and equipment off the dock. The pier, according to Frances, was where their first ferry, theFrances 1, had docked until the ferry terminal had raised their annual fees to an astronomical level, forcing them to up and move their operation to Gabriola.
Francis manoeuvred his ship into the pier following the arm signals of a man, who Mitch found out was an old friend of Francis and Frances, Mike Williger.
