Oblivion 2 Chapter Eighteen "...but there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18 v 24) “You see what I mean Mary, as I said before when I helped the injured Orca, I should have been a vet. What is it with everyone, do I look like I love animals or something? A monkey indeed, whatever next!” “Well you’ve kept a cat for years.” Devin broke in before Mary had time to think up a suitable answer, then ducked as Vincent’s arm came out to strike him. “One of these days, brother you are going to take me too far.” Vincent told him, trying to still his twitching lips. “I really don’t know how you get away with all the jibes against Vincent’s differences,” Mary told Devin laughing, “Vincent would have bitten anyone else’s head off by now. Oh!” she clapped a hand to her mouth, “I’m sorry Vincent, I didn’t mean....” Vincent knew she hadn’t meant it the way it sounded. And he was long past feeling sorry for himself about his other side. More so since Catherine had convinced him he was more than a man not less because of his differences. So Mary was surprised when Vincent burst out laughing over Devin’s jibe unable to contain himself any longer. Mouse stood gaping at them all; still feeling pretty vulnerable after his day’s events, all he wanted to hear now was whether his new friend would survive. “Well, you are right Mouse, the creatures leg is broken, and I can repair it, but everything rests on whether he stands up to the operation while I set his leg, its fortunate someone thought to pack this plaster of Paris, whose bright idea was that?” “Mine” Gerry spoke up, “After reading your medical journals, I was brainwash to never travel without a pack of it. Devin bought it for me when he and Catherine went Above that day.” “Well done to you then Gerry, for without it I don’t know what we would have done. Used chewing gum I suppose.” “We didn’t bring any of that.” Devin remarked dryly. “Well, one thing is for certain,” Father told them straightening up after examining the frightened monkey that Mouse was pinning down on the bench, “Once his leg is in plaster, we won’t be able to set him free. He’s very young too, probably still taking milk. That might be a problem, although I think he is taking solids too. We had best take a couple of hands of banana’s back with us when we go, and mash them up for him, unless he is capable of eating them by himself. And we will need something with which to make a cage. We can’t have him running around the boat tripping us all up can we?” “So Mouse, how did you come to find him?” Mary questioned the boy, wondering where Jamie was; they were usually glued together. “Found him.” Mouse told her. “Well I guess that’s as good enough answer as any.” She replied, then added, “Does Jamie know more about it?” Vincent coughed and shot Mouse a look, watching as a slow red blotch crept up Mouse’s throat to infuse his cheeks. “Have I said something I shouldn’t?” Mary asked perplexed. Vincent didn’t know how to answer, so taking Mary aside, he led her out of the shelter onto the beach where he told her, “I’m afraid Jamie and Mouse’s love affair was short lived Mary. It would appear that Jamie came to her senses before it went too far.” “Oh no.” Mary shook her head, “Leaving Mouse confused no doubt?” “Yes, it would seem so. I was on my way to have a word with him, when he came running out of the shrubbery with the monkey in his arms. Jamie and Catherine are over there on the beach, none the wiser. I’d best go over there, and fill them in now.” Devin had followed the two of them out, and overhearing the conversation, shook his head, “The poor guy, I bet that was all he needed.” “That’s what I said when Jamie told us, I felt really sorry for Mouse. Seems they got to a vital stage and she went cold on him, I wouldn’t like to ascertain his emotions right now, its as well he has the monkey to take his mind off of things, but we’ve still all got to live together.” Vincent grew thoughtful, “Do you think we can help them re-establish their friendship? Perhaps at a later stage something will develop again, when each of them are more at ease with it. Personally I think Jamie’s hormones forced the issue before either of them were ready.” “I don’t think Mouse will ever be ready.” Mary told them sincerely, “I think if we asked him what hurts most the loss of his friend or the loss of a lover, he wouldn’t know the difference. But certainly he and Jamie were good friends, and really that’s the way it should have stayed. Especially in light of what you have just told me Vincent.” “You say Jamie doesn’t know about the monkey?” Devin asked thoughtfully, as Gerry joined his side, slipping her hand into his. “No.” “Then perhaps we could ask Mouse to go and tell her, break the ice so to speak.” “If she’ll listen.” “You think she wouldn’t?” “When Mouse and I walked passed Catherine and Jamie on the beach, Jamie saw us passing, but turned her head away.” “Perhaps she was just embarrassed.” Mary told him. “Perhaps.” “I think it’s worth a try, Vincent. We can’t have them at war with one another, really they care for each other deeply, and both will be hurting. We have to do something to help.” Devin told him. “Well, there’s not much we can do, while he’s obsessed with the monkey’s leg setting, I doubt we’d prise him away at this stage. I’ll go over and speak with Jamie, I think she has to be the one to make the first move here. But I must go over to the boat first to fetch the wire casing that surrounds the gas cylinders, it’ll help to make the monkey a good cage, and most of the cylinders are empty now.” “That’s a good idea,” Mary told him. "And when you return why don’t you bring Charles back with you? He’s always cooking in that kitchen. He says he enjoys it, but really it can’t have been much of a holiday for him stuck in there, and look how much he enjoyed swimming when we went to collect those oysters. I’m sure you could manage him in the water Vincent.” Vincent nodded, promising he would go to speak with Charles right away, and would not take no for an answer. He too had noticed that Charles shut himself away a lot, and really he was as entitled to as much fun as everyone else. Inside the shelter, Father completed his task of setting the monkey’s leg, while Mouse, collected together all manner of things to help build the creature a cage strong enough to travel on the boat and then through the tunnels when they arrived home. Father just hoped he didn’t live to regret having a monkey and a racoon living Below with them, then he thought about Devin’s remark about his keeping a cat for years, and burst into a hearty chuckle. *** *** *** With Vincent holding him firmly, Charles was as unafraid of the mighty ocean as he had been when Devin had guided him through several days before, thrilling in the silkiness of the water gently rippling around his skin. It felt wonderful. The growths on his body had become larger Vincent noticed, and they gave him cause for concern. Obviously cancerous, Vincent wondered just how much longer Charles had to live his life, such as it was, and almost as if reading his thoughts Charles smiled and told him, “With Eddie I lived forty seven years, with Devin I’ve lived for three. In those three years I have filled my days with more things than in all the other forty-seven. My life has meaning now Vincent, I am free, if my body only gives me another year, it will be a year worth having, and I would not ask for more than that. Everything I have now erases my past. I feel young again, as if the first forty-seven years never existed. Don’t worry about me Vincent, I have all I need, or could ever want. Now, for the first time in my life, I am living a life.” Vincent smiled warmly at Charles; he knew the meaning behind those words. Though different, he too understood how his life had meaning since Catherine had set him free, since Devin had fulfilled his dreams, “I know this life you speak of Charles.” He told him sincerely. Charles warmed to that smile and returned one of his own, “I know you do Vincent. I know you do.” Reaching the beach, the two walked across to the shelter, where Vincent delivered the wire casing to Mouse and Charles told him, “I’ll go and speak with Cullen. He can show me how to do more carvings. He is a very talented man, and back on the mountain there are so many logs that I could make something with. I am eager to learn.” Nodding his agreement, and promising to meet for the return trip to the boat, Vincent walked across the sand to where he had left Catherine hours earlier. “Hello,” Catherine welcomed him, “If that’s not being long, I’d hate to think what is.” She laughed, “Was there a problem?” Vincent ruffled the hair of his sleepy child, kissing Jacob as he took him from Jamie’s arms, and slowly began to unravel the tale of Mouse and his monkey, watching with joy as Jamie’s face lit up, and she became agitated to be off. Before Vincent had finished speaking, and almost with indecent haste, Jamie was on her feet, “I’ll see you two later.” She cried and she was running down the beach towards the shelter without a backward glance. Vincent laughed, “Well, I think this is where we started wasn’t it my love, just us three, should we continue our walk along the beach, or would you like to do something else?” Catherine smiled at him, “With Jacob nearby, something else is out of the question, but you must be tired Vincent, why don’t you settle down and relax for a hour, and then we can go back to the boat, it’ll soon be time for tea.” Vincent yawned, settling down upon the sand, and with his now fast asleep son in the crook of one arm, he replied, “Don’t bank on it Catherine, I have just hijacked the cook!” Jamie hesitated when she arrived at the shelter, noticing that Mary and Father were sat side by side on deck chairs, with Brook reading as she sunbathed on a towel at their side. Cullen and Charles were bent over a piece of wood in the shade of a large palm tree, and there was no sign of Mouse. Nervously, she peeped around the makeshift door, made from more palm fronds and could just make out Mouse’s form huddled over a tiny furry creature laid now safe and secure inside the wire and wood cage he had fitted together with Vincent’s help. Silently she padded inside, feeling nervous, and gave herself a violent shake, ‘don’t be silly Jamie’ she chided herself, ‘this is Mouse, your friend.’ As if sensing her presence, Mouse turned before she was ready to face him, and she froze, ready to take flight, when suddenly a beaming smile lit his face, and he cried, “Jamie! There you are, look, come see, a monkey.” Jamie gave herself a mental shake, tossing the clouds from her mind, taking Mouse’s offered hand and laughed joyfully when he tugged her down beside him. “Where did you find him?” she asked, casting Mouse a shy glance before stroking the monkey who was still asleep through the bars of his new cage. “Secret.” Mouse told her. Jamie swallowed hard. This was the ultimate test then. Nervously she licked her lips, and told him softly, “Friend’s don’t keep secrets from one another Mouse,” and she was stunned when he turned to her looked her straight in the eye and told her, “Friends don’t hurt each other either.” It was such a normal statement, that Jamie wondered if Mouse had mimicked it from someone else. It was so unusual for him to not only say it, but to put the correct feeling behind it at the same time, and then to wait patiently watching her face for a response. “I’m sorry Mouse.” Tears gathered in her eyes, “Can we still be friends?” Mouse smiled. He didn’t have it in him to hold a grudge, and even within the space of an afternoon, he had missed Jamie’s company dreadfully. “No more funny stuff.” He asked her shyly, looking away embarrassed. Jamie laughed, “No, Mouse, no more funny stuff.” Mouse looked up then a huge smile beginning to spread on his face, and offered her his hand, “Friends.” He told her, and she nodded happily, the tears gathered and fell, “Friends” She told him sincerely, and hugged him tightly. “Mouse missed Jamie.” He told her. Jamie nodded, “And I missed you too. Now are you going to tell me where you found the monkey?” Mouse beamed, grabbed her hand and dragging her through the doorway out into the sunshine, he cried happily, “Show you come see. Maybe find more.” His eyes lit up at the thought, and together they ran hand in hand into the undergrowth, happy to be nothing more than just good friends again. *** *** *** That evening when Jacob was safely tucked up in bed, and Father and Mary had promised to baby-sit, Vincent suggested that Catherine, Devin and Gerry accompany him for a moonlight swim. “Remember last year, my love?” He whispered to Catherine, who gasped, “You surely don’t mean in the same way.” Her eyes widened, in surprise. He chuckled, “If only. No, this time we will have on our swim-wear.” She hugged him, her eyes dancing with mischief, “but,” he told her, “It might be nice to spend the night again on the beach.” “Well this time we will go prepared. Let’s take a bottle of wine with us, and get hopelessly drunk.” “That reminds me,” Devin told them laughing, “I brought just the thing. I’ll just go get it.” Quickly he headed back to his cabin, and returned with two bottles of Charles home made wine, “This is the perfect stuff.” “I thought we had been consuming Charles wine all week, darling.” Gerry told him. “We have, but these are older, they have a real kick to them. You just wait until you taste them, they are superb.” Swimming towards the beach later, the wine safe in a net bag, the four took their time, lying upon their backs drifting beneath the glittering stars, “This is bliss.” Catherine told them, “Nothing on earth could beat it.” “Yes, I agree.” Vincent told her, “You know Devin, after Catherine and I did this last year, we re-lived the memory so many times when we were back home. Just to lie in bed and close our eyes, and visualise floating in the ocean, brought the whole experience flooding back to us.” “That’s very apt Vincent, using the word Ocean and flooding in the same breath, and I know what to buy you for Christmas now, ha! A water bed, that would really bring back the feel of it.” “What with these claws, are you kidding.” Vincent laughed out loud. Devin joined him; “Oh! Can you imagine it!” “Look at the stars Devin,” Gerry broke into their laughter and something wistful in her tone halted their fun. “They are so beautiful. Sometimes just seeing them reminds me of being on Sonn Alp. The stars were the only thing I ever saw a lot of. From behind my bars, I used to try to count them, and wish I was up among them. To me nothing was more perfect. I would sleep through the day, and come alive only at night when I could gaze at the stars.” Everybody fell silent, imagining this. “When we were in Austria, “ Devin spoke softly, “I would catch Cathy staring up at the stars and the moon with a far away look on her face. I knew she wasn’t wishing to be up there with them though, I could tell her heart was still on the earth.” Catherine sighed, “Yes, I would look up at the sky, and know that Vincent would be doing likewise from his vantage point in the park. Somehow the moon and the stars brought me great comfort knowing he could see them too. Even though the hours of the day were different, I didn’t seem to think about that.” “While you were gone my love, I actually noticed how Orion reminded you of a little dog. Funny that, when you first showed me, I just couldn’t see it, but since I have, I never see anything else.” “A little dog how so?” Devin asked. “The three stars you can see, that’s it, the ones they call Orion’s belt, with the Crab Nebula, that’s part of the dog’s face. Then straight down there’s his foot. Back this way is his other foot, straight up to the tip of his little stumpy tail, and back across again to the top of his head.” “Why that’s a two legged dog!” Catherine splashed Devin playfully; “You have to use your imagination to join the dots.” “It’s got an awful lot of dots missing Cath. That’s some imagination you have there.” “Can’t you see it at all?” “Not yet but after the wine I am sure I will do, when the missing dots appear.” “How do you make that out?” “Because I’ll have double vision by then!” Drifting right up to the island, they didn’t get up, but lay with their backs on the gritty sand, still gazing up at the night sky, drinking in its beauty, “I don’t think I need any wine Devin, I think I could become intoxicated by the beauty of the heavens.” Vincent told him honestly. “Spoken like a true poet.” Devin told him, “It is beautiful though isn’t it. I find I can’t pronounce its real name but perhaps we should rename it something appropriate. Something that means something to us perhaps?” “That would be lovely!” Catherine leaned up on her elbows, and rolled over to look at the palm trees gently swaying beneath the silvery moon, “What do you think would suit it best?” “I can think of so many things. Pearl Island. Treasure Island. Though we don’t want to call it anything that might attract tourists or treasure seekers. Even Emerald Island would suit it, but that too would have its own drawbacks in the same way. And it’s got to be something that makes it ours, and is easy to say.” Devin replied. “I’ve got it,” Gerry told them, “It’ll be perfect. Let’s call it Mouse Island.” Devin and Vincent readily agreed. “It’s great.” Catherine told them, “And at least anyone who hates mice wouldn’t come here.” She laughed, “Oh Mouse will be so chuffed to hear we have named it after him. In silence they continued to enjoy the sights around them, until one by one they stood and walked along the beach with the four of them arm in arm, “Its been a great holiday hasn’t it?” Devin told them, “And I am so glad that the four of us are such good friends like this.” “There were times, when I thought our friendship would be severed for all time.” Gerry whispered, “I’m so glad the love we have for each other cemented us all back together.” “Me too. Sometimes I feel that what we have between us, is almost as four hearts that beat as one. We are a great team aren’t we?” Devin laughed a little nervously, “And I promise you that nothing, but nothing will ever rock our friendship again, and you don’t need me to remind you of what I mean. I’m only grateful that you could all forgive me.” Vincent was silent, realising something. Devin had put him through a great deal of anguish over the past year. Gerry too had suffered, but his brother’s affection for them all had eventually brought the four of them closer together than they had ever been. And he had never really told him he had forgiven him, well not in so many words, and there was no time like the present to do so. “Devin,” Vincent stopped walking, and turned the group in a semi-circle to look back at him, “You are more than a brother to me, you are a friend, a best friend. Anything you have done, or said or left unsaid I forgive you, for I love you with my life.” Devin felt a lump come up into his throat and tears sting his eyes, and for once he was speechless. Gerry sighed, why did it always have to be brought up, time and time again, would it always stand behind them, waiting in the back ground, unseen, unheard, but there nonetheless? Taking a deep breath she told them, “It’s still there isn’t it? No matter what we say to one another, no matter how many promises we make, its still there isn’t it? Can we really forgive and forget? This is the hardest test on our friendship, that we will ever have to endure,” Gerry smiled warmly, “And nothing must ever give rise for insecurity from it again. Cathy I love you, and Vincent you are adorable and I love you very much, but you Devin, you are my heart, you are an extension of me, and because of that I can see and feel things that you may not even be aware of yourself. I love you more than life. More than freedom of life. I would gladly go back to a life behind bars just as long as you were there with me. But Devin there is a tiny part of you that does not belong to me, I know this, and I accept it, but I think its time that you faced it yourself.” Flopping wearily down onto the sand, Devin looked up at their anxious faces, as each sat down beside him, sighing he drew a deep breath, “I have faced it. When Cathy and I went shopping that day, and we waited for you at the apartment, we told one another of our deepest feelings, and we made a pact. And I know of that this tiny part of me, that you can feel is not with you Gerry, for it belongs to Cathy, I can’t help that I feel this way, but please you don’t have to worry for it isn’t romantic love it is friendship love. It is strong and will stand the test of time. Together Cathy and I are a team, there are things that we have experienced and things that we have talked about that only we too know about, they aren’t secret things they are friendship things. I love you Gerry, I love only you, and you and Vincent can believe me when I tell you that that’s the way it will always be. You have no need of feeling insecure ever. What Cathy and I share is friendship, a deep friendship. And real friends would lay down their life for one another, and I would gladly lay down mine for any one of you three.” He paused, letting his words sink in, watching as Catherine smiled encouragingly at him, but it was Gerry’s smile that made his heart beat faster. “Are we going to drink this wine or what?” Catherine laughed out loud. “Yes we certainly are,” Vincent told her drawing her into his arms, “And we are going to drink to everlasting friendship. Devin where are the glasses?” “Oh no,” Devin sighed, tragically, “I knew I had forgotten something!” *** *** *** Since Mouse had showed himself and Vincent the treasure, Devin had found that his mind had given it a great deal of thought. It was true that they didn’t want people crawling all over the island while they were there, but he felt he owed it to Greg to tell him as soon as possible. Besides if he waited, it would mean hiring a boat at a later stage and coming out to the island to meet Greg, and having to leave Gerry again. So despite what he had told Vincent he would do, he found that he simply had no other choice but to contact Greg and take it from there. Though he didn’t intend worrying the others with his final decision, until he knew for certain if Greg was coming out to the island. Finally at peace about everything he contacted the coast guard and had him send Greg Masters a telegram, with the words, “Found a fortune. Can you come to island before the 17th? I’ll meet you there. Devin.” Then having sent it, he paced for days wondering what to do about hiding Vincent and Gerry, and just hoped Greg would come alone. So when everybody milled around after breakfast on the morning of the 16th, and Catherine noticed a large boat drawing into the bay, there began once again panic stations, just as before. Devin looked sheepish, “Actually,” He told everyone as he helped bring out the props, cameras and lighting, “I think I know who this is, and it might be as well if Vincent and Gerry stayed below deck this time.” “Who is it?” Father faced his son, “What have you done this time, my boy?” “Nothing to worry about dad, just leave everything to me.” Neither Jamie, Mouse, Vincent or himself had told anyone else about the sovereigns. As the other boat drew alongside, Devin recognised Greg at once; a stocky built blonde haired fellow with an endearing smile, that as soon as she saw him Jamie’s heart missed a beat. “Greg, hi,” Devin called happily, “ glad you could make it.” “How could I not. Tell me what have you found?” “Come with me and I’ll show you.” He knew Mouse had not moved the treasure, he had checked himself each day. The monkey seemed to have taken priority over the gold, and for that he was thankful, otherwise he wouldn’t have put it passed Mouse to have hidden it somewhere else. Beneath the sanctuary of the lower deck, Vincent and Gerry exchanged glances, “What’s going on Vincent do you know?” “I have an idea, but I am surprised that Devin has tackled it this way. Let’s hope he doesn’t stay long.” “Can I go with you Devin?” Jamie asked innocently. Devin ruffled her hair and winked, “Now I wonder why you would be so interested?” He told her, smiling. Jamie bit her lip and grinned, “He’s gorgeous.” She told him, laughing. “Have you known him long?” “No, and he’s way too old for you. Those hormones of your will get you into trouble one of these days Jamie. I think you had best stay here, where you are safe, men like Greg would eat you for breakfast.” Jamie pouted, she was going to say something but then she noticed that Greg was getting changed, and her face lit up as Greg peeled off his jeans to his bathing trunks beneath, and followed Devin into the water. Jamie found herself glued to the railings as she watched them swim towards the island, daydreaming about the way Greg’s muscles rippled beneath the sea, and hoped that they would soon return. Catherine laughed at her, “It didn’t take you long did it?” She told her affectionately. Jamie shook her head, unable to find the words with which to reply, she was having difficulty believing it all herself. She was in love, helplessly and hopelessly in love, and now she knew the difference. Catherine continued to smile at her as she made her way below deck to seek out Vincent, “What’s happening. Do you know?” Finding that she was followed by a group of anxious people, including Mouse, who since his burns had healed nicely, had started to swim out to the boat from the island, as did Cullen these last few days. Vincent didn’t know what to say, and drew Mouse to his side, “ I think Devin is going to show the owner of the island what you found Mouse. Its not a secret anymore, do you want to tell everyone what you found?” Mouse shrugged, put his hand into his pocket and pulled out something shiny, “Some of these.” He told them. “Oh Mouse!” Vincent exclaimed, “You took some!” “Let me see those,” Father exclaimed, taking the coins, “Are these real?” “Yes it would appear that Mouse found treasure on this island. Devin dates them back to the seventeenth century.” Vincent told him. “They must be worth a fortune. How many did he find?” “We never counted them, but there were quite a pile.” “One hundred.” Mouse told them grinning. “A hundred!” Father exclaimed. “Something else.” Mouse told them, putting a hand into his other pocket, he pulled out some green stones. The sparkled in the sunlight that came in through the windows. “Are they what I think they are?” Mary exclaimed. Catherine took hold of some, “Emeralds.” She gasped, “Is this all of them Mouse?” Mouse shook his head, “No, Come see.” Following Mouse to where he had hung his jacket, their eyes bulged with stunned surprise when he produced a small bag in which when he emptied it, out fell a mass of glittering gemstones in every colour imaginable. “Green ones favourite.” Mouse told them gaily. “Mouse keep them.” “No Mouse, they aren’t ours to keep. You must give them all to Greg. Did you take all that there was?” Mouse frowned, he wanted to keep them, and he liked the way they sparkled and danced beneath the light. “Everything in the bag.” He told them. “Oh Mouse!” Father exclaimed. “Whatever are we to do with you.” “Change his name to Jackdaw perhaps.” Charles told him, laughing heartily. When Greg and Devin returned, and Mouse brought out his find, Greg stumbled in shock, and Devin steadied him, “I can’t believe it Devin, this lot will be worth millions. Look come over to my boat will you I would like to talk to you about this.” Taking the bag of gemstones from Mouse, and the gold coins, he led the way, stepping from one boat to the other, to discuss with Devin his idea. Once seated, he poured Devin a glass of wine, “I don’t want anyone knowing about this Devin, can your friends be made to keep quiet about this?” “Absolutely, you have no worries on that score.” “I can’t thank you enough for telling me, you could have kept the lot and I would have been none the wiser, but I can’t ignore your honesty, I simply have to repay you somehow. This is what I propose to do. I’ll take the jewels and the coins to a friend I know. Someone who will give me a good price and won’t ask any questions, and I’ll give you ten percent. I know that’s not much, but I was beginning to get a bit strapped for cash, and believe me I have so many debts, this could not have come at a better time. Do we have a deal?” Devin thought long and hard, “No, I have a better idea. One that should suit us both.” “Tell me?” Greg leaned against the railings, sipping his wine, as Devin highlighted his plan. “I don’t want any money, just sign the island over to me as owner, and I promise that anything else we find on it will also become your property.” Greg’s mouth dropped open wide, “For real! You’ll do that for me!” “I have no need of money, Greg, but this island is special, and I know many people that would benefit from coming out here, under privileged children and all that, people who have nothing and would love to come here, that is all I ask for.” Greg nodded, a slow smile forming on his lips. “Okay,” he told him “You’ve got a deal, but I will throw in one gift. I’ll buy you a boat to make it easier for you to bring those people out here. I’ll have the papers drawn up legally, but I’ll sign it over to you now before I leave. Just in case I get shipwrecked or anything! So shall we shake on it?” Devin took his friend’s outstretched hand and shook it heartily. The island was his, this beautiful idyllic paradise was his, and nothing could surpass the joy of that knowledge. He had his own Treasure Island, he and his dear family had the island to use whenever they wished, till time indefinite. And as he thought of Vincent being able to go out into the sunshine several times a year for the rest of his life Devin had never felt so happy. And he was so happy that he had been honest about the finding of the treasure to his friend. Real treasure was the happiness of his family, and especially of his brother. However, later as Greg sailed away with the treasure Jamie gazed longingly after him. And everybody hugged Devin for joy of his news, but no-body noticed when Mouse went back to his cabin to drop some of the dazzling gold coins and the sparkling green stones back into the safety of his jacket pocket! Not stealing mind - just taking! To be concluded in Chapter Nineteen.