Lips like Ice (boyxboy)

Promise

Chapter 2.

"Oi!" There was a slight pressure on Luke's back and he groaned. "Oi!" The same pressure, a little harder and Luke looked up. He was momentarily blinded by the sun and scrunched up his face until, gradually, a middle-aged sailor took shape. The man was nudging him with his shoe.

"Yer drink too much, lad?" The man bit into an apple and Luke's stomach churned with hunger.

"No." Luke croaked through a bone-dry throat and coughed.

The man frowned. "What then? Can't have yer lying about here. Yer in the way!"

Luke struggled to sit up - his face stung in the sun and he knew he must be burned. "I fell overboard The Goodwish. The Merchant ship."

"Ah! Roberts is it?" The man's frown eased and he hauled Luke up by his scrawny arm. "Yer lucky then lad! Yer don't look like much but yer must have a swimmers strength alright!"

Luke flinched and staggered back, clutching his shoulder. "I got bit." He explained.

"Lemme see." The man pushed his ragged shirt down and whistled. "That looks like a right nasty fish got yer! The angels must be watching over yer lad. Come this way."

The man gestured towards the town and Luke staggered after him.

"Jane-girl!" The man yelled as he pushed open the door to a pub. The closing door nearly smacked Luke in the face, but he managed to take the blow on his side and shuffled in.

"That's Mistress Jane to yer, brute!" A large woman shook a rag at them from where she polished off a table.

"Sisters don't get that title!" The man grinned and jerked a thumb at Luke. "I found a stray. Roberts lad washed ashore last night. Do yer think yer can find a job for him 'till next season?"

"Hm." The woman tossed down the rag and marched to inspect the boy.

Luke gulped but forced his tired back as straight as it would go.

She inspected him from head to toe, frowning all the while. Her hair was a fiery red, turning white at the temples. Her dress was modest but straining around a generous chest and middle.

"Went overboard did yer? And a wee lad like yer managed to swim all this way?" She cocked her head at him.

"Yes ma'am." Luke wet his lips and tried to steady his voice.

"Got mauled the boy did." The man pushed down Luke's shirt for Jane's inspection.

Her eyes softened. "A right terrible night yer must have had. I think I have some room in the kitchen for yer. Yer can wash a dish, yer reckon?" She arched a brow at him and Luke nodded furiously.

"Yes! I used to help my mom all the time." He assured her, hope leaving him lightheaded.

She smiled and gave a short nod. "Right this way then. Tom, I'll be seeing yer ugly mug later for a pint?"

The man, Tom, laughed and saluted her. "Aye, as always." He strolled out the door.

Luke hurried to match the woman's long strides and found himself in a bustling kitchen.

"This here's Fred, Marge and Betsy. They'll fill you in on what needs to be done, but the main hand yer'll be listening to is Marge. The best cook in Grimsvale bay!" She slapped a strong but motherly looking figure on the shoulder and Marge barked out a laugh.

"Betsy here's our serving girl. Bets! Yer have siblings don't yer?" Betsy wiped her sweaty brow with the back of her hand and nodded.

"Too many, Mistress Jane!" She answered and Jane laughed.