Dead in the Water

time?”
    “No. He was earning a modest living at his craft, but he had not yet begun to sell books in large numbers.”
    “After you had been seeing each other for a time, did the subject of marriage come up?”
    “The subject came up very early in our relationship,” she said, “although we didn’t actually set a date until we had been seeing each other for several months.”
    “And when did you marry?”
    “A few weeks after that—about four and a half years ago.”
    “In what circumstances were you married.”
    “I gave up my tiny apartment and moved into Paul’s. It wasn’t much bigger; it was a three-room flat in Greenwich Village, a fourth-floor walkup.”
    “Would you describe it as a modest apartment?”
    She smiled. “I would describe it as less than modest. We painted the place ourselves, but that didn’t make the heating or the plumbing work any better.”
    “After you were married, did Paul’s career as a writer become more successful?”
    “Yes. His third novel became a bestseller, and that allowed him to get a much better contract for his next book. It also meant that his income increased sharply.”
    “Did your circumstances improve after that?”
    “Oh, yes. We bought a house in Greenwich, Connecticut, a large, comfortable house. Greenwich is near enough to New York City that Paul could spend the day in town visiting his publisher and still be home by dinner.”
    “In what other ways did Paul’s success change your lives?”
    “Well, we both drove expensive cars, we ate out in restaurants a lot, and we entertained at dinner parties. I bought better clothes, and so did Paul.”
    “And did there come a time when Paul decided he wanted a yacht?”
    “Yes. He had a small boat—a twenty-five-footer—when we married, and we used to sail that a lot. Then, after the success of his fourth novel, Paul ordered a larger yacht to be built at a yard in Finland.”
    “How long did it take to build the larger yacht?”
    “About a year and a half.”
    “Is this the yacht which is now moored at the English Harbour marina?”
    “Yes.”
    “Was there anything unusual about this yacht, apart from its larger size?”
    “Well, it had the best equipment Paul could find, and it was designed to be sailed singlehanded.”
    “By singlehanded, do you mean by one person alone?”
    “Yes. When we were aboard together, Paul did all the sailing, and I did all the domestic chores—cooking and so forth.”
    “When the new yacht was delivered, did you and Paul decide to sail it to Europe?”
    “Yes; in fact, that was Paul’s intention when he ordered the boat.”
    “Please tell us about the trip.”
    Allison outlined their route across the Atlantic and their stops in various ports in England, France, Spain, and in the Mediterranean, finishing her account with a description of their departure from the Canary Islands for Antigua.
    “Before you left the United States, how would you describe your relationship with your husband?”
    “We were extremely happy—euphoric, really. You know how newlyweds are.” She said this directly to a juror, who blushed.
    “And when you began your voyage across the Atlantic, did your relationship change?”
    “Only in that we became closer. When you spend a lot of time with a person on a boat, you really get to know him.”
    “Did this constant proximity wear on your marriage?”
    “On the contrary, I think it made our marriage stronger.”
    “You are aware that not all couples do as well at sea.”
    She smiled. “Oh, yes; we met a number of couples in our travels who were sick of each other. On the other hand, we met a lot more who enjoyed being alone together on a boat.”
    “You were nearly fifteen years younger than your husband, Mrs. Manning; did that become a problem in your marriage?”
    “Never at any time. We were both very comfortable with the age difference.”
    “When you sailed from the Canaries for Antigua, was your marriage still a good one?”
    “I would say that it was better than ever. We talked about that, and Paul felt the same way. We both felt very grateful for each other.”
    “Take us back, now, Mrs. Manning, to your departure from the Canaries, and tell us, with as much detail as you can, what happened in the days after that.”
    Allison devoted her attention entirely to the jury. She told of their start across the Atlantic and how, after ten days, it had been necessary for her to be hauled up the mast to retrieve the top swivel