The Call of The Sea

One Year Later: Emilie

I realise I have not devoted much time to this diary as of late. I have been too busy to tell the truth. But now I shall relay all that has happened for the record books. When I am old, I shall look back on these months as the happiest of my life.

It is hard to believe as I review this story of how George and I met that it is almost a year ago. So much has happened in that time.

After we came down from the cliffs to announce that we were engaged, my cousins expressed their delight. Aunt Delilah was only glad to hear that I was being taken off her hands and was going to be relatively happy in the equation. The man I married was of little concern to her, and truly I was glad of her disinterest. If she had disapproved, I would have married him anyway.

I said goodbye to Aunt Delilah and my cousins, promising that I would visit them soon after we returned from the voyage we were setting off on. It was to be a six-month journey, so I would not see them for a while, but as I promised to bring gifts back from the ports of Europe, my family was satisfied.

That same day, we returned to London. Caterina and James were delighted that I was not in fact dead and that George and I were to be happily married. I learnt from Caterina later that she had forged a suicide note in my name to spur George into action when she heard I had left. I would not have employed such methods, but as it all ended well, I see no reason to tell George or James.

Lewis and the rest of the crew were delighted to hear that their captain would soon be married. As we set sail the next week, George and I decided to get married the next day, with the crew, James and Caterina present.

I sent a note to Mr Gasper. He came to the wedding and even gave me away. George was pleased that he could be so gracious, although he does not like that I have kept contact with Thomas. In truth, I believe it is my duty to my late father. I am happy in my new life, and Thomas is the only link to that old life. I must keep it alive. And I like to hear that he is happy; in the time since I broke it off with him, he has been searching for a wife, and is happily courting a young lady at present.

The next week, we set sail for Calais before we ventured to the further ports. In a way, I got the best honeymoon in the world; I saw all the trading capitals of the world with the man I knew I had been destined to find.

The life at sea agrees with me more than I could ever possibly have imagined. Waking up in George's arms is a benefit to my comfort; his snug single bunk is tight for two, but intimate. For me, the mixture of the dazzling sun, vast sky and sparkling sea is heaven. I feel as if I am living in a novel most days, and even when the sun does not shine, and the sea is up in a tumultuous roar, life is still idyllic.

Before we left London, I made sure that I was fitted with a uniform for the ship (much to the dressmaker's horror). I didn't intend to be useless and simply be the captain's wife. Within a few weeks, I had learnt most of the skills I needed, helping in every area I could.

I think the men enjoy my presence. A female touch on the ship has cheered everyone up, and I love each of the men as brothers in turn. They all view George and I as their parents; for some of them, we are the only parents they have ever known.

Now we are returning to London for a longer sabbatical of perhaps three months. The crew members have decided to venture to different corners of England, some even travelling as far as Scotland.

George and I will be staying in London with James and Caterina. In a month, I am to give birth to our first child, and George was adamant that I should not be on the ship for the birth. I have enjoyed being pregnant really; the sea air has very much helped with the periods of sickness.

It is only because I can do nothing on the ship that I agreed we must dock for a few months. As soon as the child is born, and I am recovered however, we will return to the sea. Whatever the sex of the child, they will love the sea as much as their parents do, I am sure.

Caterina is delighted. Shortly after we left, she fell pregnant with her first child as well, so we will have "babies with twinned spirits" apparently. I have kept up my correspondence with her too, and I feel as if we have been best friends for life, not simply for a few months.

This new phase of my life is so exciting, and I cannot wait for it to begin with the birth of the child. I am perfectly happy, happier than I have ever been. And I think it is rubbing off on George; he looks happier these days than he ever did Lewis says.

We are exploring the world and each other in equal measure, learning more and more as the days go by. I hope it will stay like this forever.

Now, George is calling me. We are docking into London soon, and I believe he wishes me to see it.

I wish to close with this; if I never continue to write about our story, I will have lived and died as the happiest woman in all of time. George and Emilie Ackworth will sail the seas together for many years to pass this one, and life will forever be perfect.

The End