Β Β George sat on the crate, resting his elbows on his knees as he listened to Lilly tell him of her decision. Max added a few words about how he wanted to be part of the expedition, even though his health had failed him.
When they were done, George sighed deeply, rubbed his face with his paw, and looked at the three of them.
- I can't say I'm happy - he finally said. - But I understand why you did it.
Lilly looked at him gratefully.
- George, I tried really hard. I didn't want us to be a burden.
George held up a hand to silence her.
- None of you are a burden. But there are rules on a ship. You have to do your duty and... - He looked at Max, whose pale face showed he was still weak. - And don't interfere with the work.
Max nodded.
- I promise, Grandpa.
George smiled, though his gaze was full of concern.
- Now let's figure out how to keep the captain from throwing us all overboard.... I have an idea - with that he jumped down on deck and headed for the captain's cabin.
Β Β The captain was sitting in his cabin, enjoying his morning infusion of catnip root, when the door burst open and George stood in the doorway.
- Captain, we have a very delicate matter to discuss - he began, smiling broadly, which immediately aroused the captain's suspicion.
The captain narrowed his eyes.
- George, if it's about my latest batch of rum, I have nothing to do with it.
- No, it's not about the rum! - George waved his paw. -Although... I could borrow one of the bottles for later.
The captain rolled his eyes and indicated a chair.
- Sit down and talk, before the catnip wears off.
George sat down and looked at him with the most innocent expression he could muster.
β Imagine, Captain, that one day your heart leads you on an adventure, and then, surprisingly, you discover that your family has decided toβ¦ errβ¦ join in on the adventure.
The Captain put down his cup and narrowed his eyes at George, narrowing his eyes even more.
β Speak plainly, George.
β Lilly and Max are on a ship. A bitβ¦ by accident.
The Captain almost choked on his drink.
β What?! By accident?! This is a ship, not a cat version of a carousel in the park!
George raised his paws in a placating gesture.
β I know, I know! But Lilly can help in the kitchen, and Maxβ¦ well, heβs a quick learner, just a bit weak right now.
The Captain leaned back against the table and shook his head as if he couldnβt believe what he was hearing.
β And you think a few kind words will be enough to make me accept that?
George smiled broadly.
β Of course! That and a bottle of the best rum Iβve got in store.
The captain looked at George for a moment, then burst out laughing.
- George, you old schemer. Fine, they can stay. Only on one condition.
- What? - George asked, leaning back in his chair with a triumphant smile.
- If you hide anything from me again, you'll have to clean the deck. And by yourself, no scrubbers!
George nodded with mock seriousness.
- I promise, Captain. Now... how about that bottle of rum?
The captain laughed again, waved his paw, and reached for another cup.
- Okay, bring that bottle, George. At least with you, one never gets bored.
George returned to the deck with a smile on his face and waved to Olivier and Lilly, who were waiting anxiously.
- The captain agreed. But now we all have to work hard and stay out of trouble.
- What did you tell him? - Lilly asked, a little suspiciously.
George just winked at her.
- My dear, sometimes honesty, a pinch of charm and a dash of rum can do wonders.
Olivier and Lilly looked at each other, not knowing whether to laugh or worry, but one thing was certain - their adventure at sea was taking off.
While the VMax family was discussing the next steps in whispers, the captain appeared on deck. A tall, big cat with a piercing gaze, he always had an eye for every detail. He approached the place where the three had been hiding until now, and his nose twitched when he sensed something unusual.
- What's this?- he asked in a low, firm voice, looking at Lilly and Max. -Do we have unexpected guests?
Lilly stood up slowly, knowing there was no point in denying it.
- Captain... I beg your pardon, but it's a long story.
The captain raised an eyebrow, and his tail twitched nervously. - The story may be long, but my patience is not - he replied dryly - I await explanations.
Olivier stood up, standing next to Lilly.
The captain looked them over, a hint of amusement crossing his face.
- Family. - he murmured. - Well, at sea we are one crew. If you stay, you will have to help. I have no room for freeloaders.
Lilly looked at him in surprise.
- Can we really stay?
The captain shrugged.
- Stay, yes. But on my terms.
The captain looked at Max, who lay pale and weak. His stern gaze softened, though he tried not to show it.
- The boy looks like a wreck. I won't make him wash the deck - he said, turning to Olivier. - But that means you two will be working in exchange him.
Lilly opened her mouth to protest, but Olivier raised a hand, silencing her with a look.
- We accept these terms - ββhe said firmly, glancing at Lilly. - Don't worry, we'll manage.
The captain nodded.
- Fine. You, Olivier, will help with the sails. And you, Lilly, can try your hand at the kitchen. My cook always complains that he's short-handed.
Lilly sighed with relief, although the prospect of cooking on a rocking ship wasn't the most pleasant.
Β Β A few hours later, Lilly found herself in the small, stuffy kitchen on the lower deck. The cook, a short, stocky cat named Bastian, looked at her skeptically.
- Can you cook? - he asked, raising an eyebrow.
- A little - Lilly replied, not wanting to stick her neck out.
Bastian pointed to a pile of vegetables to be peeled.
- Start with that. Let's see if you're up to it.
Lilly got to work, and Bastian occasionally threw her comments that veered between malice and dry humor. Over time, however, he began to notice that Lilly was doing quite well. He had no idea that Lilly ran her own cooking blog and was one of the most popular bloggers, and that each of her recipes was received with great enthusiasm by readers.
- What are we cooking today? - Lilly looked at the Bastian after peeling all the vegetables.
Cook looked at her and grimaced, raising his eyes upwards.
- Let's establish one thing - he said. - I cook, you clean, okay?
Lilly looked down and felt her anger rising, but she didn't show it.
- That's right - she replied - "We'll see, you pompous tomcat" - she thought to herself and went to rinse the peeled vegetables.
In the meantime, Max, left on the canvas bed, was slowly regaining his strength. Every now and then, Olivier brought him water and delicate snacks from the kitchen. When the boy felt better enough to sit down, he looked around with interest.
- Daddy, when can I help? - he asked.
Olivier smiled, crouching down next to him.
- First, you have to get completely well. Don't worry, you have plenty of time here to learn everything you need to.
Max nodded, although he had difficulty restraining himself from getting up and taking immediate action.
The day was slowly coming to an end, and the sea that had been rocking the ship all day was beginning to calm down in the light of the rising moon.
Max, lying on the canvas, rose slightly, staring at the rippling water. At one point, he noticed something strange β a shadow moving just below the surface.
- Dad, did you see that? - he asked quietly, pointing his paw at the dark shape.
Olivier, who was talking to Lilly, looked towards his son but didnβt see anything unusual. - Itβs probably just fish, Max. At sea, everything seems bigger than it actually is - he replied soothingly.
Max frowned, but before he could say anything, the captain walked past them. He stopped suddenly, as if something had worried him. His eyes were fixed on the water, where the shadow was moving lazily, and a serious expression appeared on his muzzle.
- Not fish - he muttered to himself .
Olivier and Lilly looked at him in surprise, but the captain didnβt say anything more. He walked towards the helm, giving some quiet commands, his tail twitching restlessly.
- Is something going on? β Lilly asked, glancing at Olivier.
β I donβt know β Olivier replied, putting his arm around Max. β But I think itβs better to be vigilant.
Max looked back at the water, where the shadow had disappeared, as if it had dissolved into the depths. But the feeling of unease remained....
To be continued.....π»
*If you like the VMax Cats Family share this post with your friends, maybe they will like it too. Thank you for all the nice comments I have received from you so far. I really appreciate it β€
