That sinking feeling

Robbie’s class homework was all about hobbies. For the following day, the whole class had to take in an example of their hobby or something they admired about someone else’s hobby. Although Robbie had been very proud of his stick insect collection, Annabelle had accidentally thrown it away when Robbie had left the jam jar in the garden so that the stick insects could do a spot of sun-bathing.
Dad had suggested that Robbie talk to their neighbour Mr Barclay. Robbie thought that this was a great idea. Mr Barclay made the most amazing wooden boats that had the most intricate details on them. Robbie was delighted that Mr Barclay agreed that he could take a boat to school.
“Whatever you do, don’t try to sail it” Said Mr Barclay. “Leave your phone on and I’ll text you if it’s a problem” Mr Barclay continued.
Robbie was out of credit but would sort that out with Mum in the evening.
It was all a bit of a rush the next morning and Robbie had forgotten to tp up the credit on his mobile.
“Did Mr Barclay bring a boat round for me?” Asked Robbie.
“No, but I have the key to his house”. “Did he say it was okay to take one?” Asked Dad.
“Oh yes” Said Robbie, deliberately forgetting to mention about how Mr Barclay was going to text him any important information.
Robbie’s friend Nick arrived on his way to school and the two boys followed Dad into Mr Barclay’s hall.
There under the hat stand was a rather rickety, but brilliantly made wooden boat.
The boys were delighted and carefully carried the boat to school, arriving ten minutes late for class as they were being so careful not to drop it.
There presentation in the lesson was a big success and the teacher Miss Knowles was extremely pleased with them.
“Shall we float it on the pond in the park?” Asked Nick after school. It was a glorious afternoon and it seemed such a pity not to take advantage.
“Mr Barclay did say not to, but I guess a quick sail wouldn’t hurt” Replied Nick.
So they sent it across the pond. The vessel looked majestic with its sails standing proudly fluttering gently in a light breeze.
Robbie and Nick took a moment to watch Billy Sadler at bat in a knockabout cricket match. Billy was a fine batsman and Nick and Robbie both applauded as Billy hit a soaring shot high into the sky.
But suddenly, both boys stopped applauding and just stood with their mouths slightly a gape.
The ball soared over their heads and landed in the middle of the pond, right on Mr Barclay’s boat, smashing it to a hundred pieces.
Billy was very apologetic, but Robbie was distraught. What was he going to tell Mr Barclay?
“Let’s try to re-create it” Helpfully suggested Robbie.
With nothing else up their sleeves, both boys thought that this was the only option to save face and maybe give Mr Barclay a new, better ship.
They got some wood from Dad’s shed. Some glue from mum’s drawer. Some hankies from Annabelle’s room and some paint from the school art room.
They cut, sawed, hammered, glued and painted.
At one point, Nick got a piece of wood stuck to his finger. He waved it quickly up and down in an attempt to un-stick it an managed to hit Bubbles the cat square in the nose.
Eventually after about four hours, the boys examined their finished craft.
It in no way looked how they had hoped and actually resembled a rabbit hutch rather than an elegant ship.
They filled the bath with water so that they could send their craft on it’s maiden voyage. Both boys after the event, were convinced that it stayed afloat for at least two seconds before it sunk to the bottom of the bath and immediately disintegrated leaving a sodden mess of cotton, glue and wood that mum was then trying to clean away from the bath for the next month.
After a sleepless night, Robbie trudged round to confess to Mr Barclay with Dad hovering a few paces behind in case Robbie decided to try and run off.
He knocked on the door and saw Mr Barclay’s shadow looming towards him.
“Ah, Robbie” He cheerfully said. “How was the homework?” “I see you got my text and thanks for bringing my boat safely back in its display case.”
Robbie tried to speak, but his mouth had lost the ability to move.
“Thanks also for taking away that old prototype of mine” Continued Mr Barclay. “I really had no need for it any more and it was getting in the way somewhat”.
Robbie wanted to leap up and down and give Mr Barclay a bit hug. He had the broadest smile on his face which didn’t slip a bit, even when Dad whispered
“You’re still grounded young man.”
Robbie immediately rang Nick to tell him of their lucky escape and both boys decided that if there were any further hobby days at school, they would take their favourite Top trump sets.