From the diary of Griselda Vargas-Beilschmidt

46

"Is that... a ship?"

Gabriel doesen't answer, eyes wide, mouth open, exactly like he says looks stupid. The three friends behind us take notice if it as well, and I know their faces look exactly the same. Silence for a few heartbeats, even Ash shuts up for a good moment, until George groans.

"Oh god, I'm getting war flashbacks.. Gabriel foreshadowed it..."

"Foreshadowed what? Gabi?" I ask.

He still doesen't respond. We watch as the big ship comes nearer, as close as it can. Then it stops moving.

"That's a fucking galleon. Right there." George says.

"A galleon?" Ash repeats.

"Big ship with lots of space inside, used for both wars and trades, in 16. to 18. century. Captain Francis Drake circumnavigated the world in one, Golden Hind," his eyes gleam. "She was so beautiful," he says with passion, lost in his memories, looking at nothing in particular.

Ashleigh looks so conflicted, partially jealous and partially impressed. "Oh."

George zooms in again. "So that's what that is. But the question should be-"

"What. The fuck." Gabriel breathes out. George claps and points at him.

"Exactly!"

"Uhhhhh?" Fred says behind us and we all jump a bit.

"Same, Freddie," Ash mumbles.

"Guys? Do ya think we should maybe... row over there and take a closer look?" he suggests, nodding in the direction of the mysterious smaller boat with paddles. That doesen't sound like a bad idea.

"Sounds like a plan," Ash grins. "Count me in."

"Count me in too!" George agrees. "It's been quite a while since I've been in one of those beauties!"

"...that would sound wrong in so many ways out of context..." Fred opines. Wait, what?

Ash wiggles her eyebrows, which, thankfully, goes unnoticed by George, who turns red in the face, and starts stammering "That- that is NOT what I meant, you dirty-minded... uuuuugh! Why am I even friends with you?!"

"Because nobody else would have you?" he retorts, smirking, tilting his head. Ashleigh looks like she strongly disagrees.

George sighs, then punches Fred on his back. "Friendly pat," he shrugs.

"Guys," Ash sighs in annoyance and turns to me. "A friendly advice, Grissie: don't fall for someone who has more passion for boats than girls."

"Fall? Why would I fall? Like, trip over and fall?"

"What? Nononono-" she shakes her head, but is interrupted in further explaining when Fred yells "Gabriel!" The said one shakes his head and blinks. He's still observing the ship- galleon like she'd (is that correct? Do you use 'she' for boats? George did, so I'll go with it, okay?) turn to dust anytime, leaving a giant transparent of 'Happy birthday, Gabriel!' behind.

I half expect that to happen, too.

It never does.

Fred is already sitting down into the boat, but is stopped by George when he explains someone has to take it further away from the beach. He gets out again and calls me and Gabriel to go sit down while he, George and, involuntarily, Ashleigh, would push the boat and then get on themselves. I make my way over there, notice Gabriel's still freaking staring, go back, take his hand and drag him there.

We sit down, while he still looks like his soul just left his body, and the three start to push us further.

"I should've known they were going to use us like this!" Fred grins. "For cheap child labour!" George chuckles, Ashleigh groans.