Page 21 of The Trip of a Lifetime

‘I’m feeling nervous now,’ Erin said. ‘It’s going to be a mad scramble from all of us.’

And she had noticed that both Femi and Liz, and Don and Pete were all climbing into cars. She was more pleased to know that Sam was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he’d fallen overboard, she thought with a smile.

‘We’ll probably be jogging at the end. I’m not sure I can run. I did get quite a lot of sleep, miraculously. I think I’ll be okay. And don’t forget, we can’t lose at this point. We just gain a time advantage the quicker we get there,’ Martha said.

Erin remembered Cally explaining that they would have their time of arrival recorded. They would all have to stay for thirty-six hours at the hotel and then they’d be able to leave in order of their arrival with the time difference as an advantage.

‘We can do this,’ Erin said and when the old chap, Hank, arrived with a toothless grin they all climbed in. Noah threw his bag into the open back of the truck and when the ferry docked they were off.

‘We don’t mind at all if you want to drive fast,’ Martha said.

‘Well, that’s a nice thought, but this old girl won’t get over fifty, so slow and steady wins the race.’

No, it bloody doesn’t, Erin thought as they left the terminal in Skidegate. She just caught the back of Sam and Harrison climbing into what looked like a brand-new car and she let out an annoyed breath.

‘Is there a secret shortcut?’ she asked Hank.

‘Nope,’ he said. ‘Just the one road to Tlell.’

‘We’re very grateful to you,’ Martha said with a glance back at Erin. Her expression was clear: be grateful too.

‘Yes,’ Erin echoed. ‘We are. Very grateful indeed.’

It was a beautiful stretch of road at least and they had plenty of time to enjoy it as they were travelling so slowly. This is free, Erin had to keep reminding herself. On the next leg of the journey, they could cover ground more quickly on coaches and trains hopefully. Although, at this point, they didn’t know where they were going next, of course. And besides, Erin really needed to concentrate on this leg before she was off on the next.

The sea was on their right as they travelled north and eagles swooped down to rest on the huge fir trees.

‘Bald eagles,’ Hank said.

‘Oh, we don’t get those at home in the UK. Or bears, or moose,’ said Erin. ‘Unless you go to a zoo, of course.’

‘I don’t agree with zoos or wildlife parks,’ he said. ‘These beautiful creatures should be able to roam free.’

Erin watched another eagle soaring before gliding down to the edge of the water. It wasn’t far from her window and it was huge.

‘I agree,’ she told him and pulled her journal from her bag to make notes. One day when she looked back she’d be grateful to herself for bothering. Then the brand-new car taking Harrison and Sam to Tlell overtook them at some speed and she snapped the book shut, her mood cooling again.

‘Was that Harrison waving?’ Noah asked, and Erin cut him a look.

‘No, I don’t think so. Hank, you live in a beautiful part of the world. Tell us more about it,’ Erin said, keen to change the subject. Martha really didn’t need to be wound up any more than she already was.

When they were dropped off at the bridge and made their hasty thank yous and goodbyes to the old man, they found the footpath to the beach and began to run. It was harder going on the stones and then the tracker rang out again with their next alert.

After 1 km find the woodland path. Head to the hotel and cabins.

‘Right,’ Martha said. ‘Keep your eyes peeled.’

Erin was more concerned that she couldn’t see any other contestants. They were probably all already there with gin and tonics, waiting to watch Erin and Martha turn up last.

‘There,’ she said suddenly, seeing a sign for a woodland trail.

They didn’t stop jogging until they could see the hotel and they were both up the steps and through the front door before they allowed themselves to stop and take huge gulping breaths. There was a woman on the reception desk with a book in front of her.

‘Welcome to Haida Gwaii,’ she said and Erin stepped forward to turn the page.

They had come last, which wasn’t a huge surprise. Harrison and Sam had checked in twenty minutes previously with Femi and Liz close on their tails. Then Priya and Tara next with the twins just after them.

‘It’s just a twenty-minute lead,’ Martha said. ‘Plus, we don’t know how much they spent to get here. We might be leading with cash at the moment.’