A Weather Eye on the Horizon

A Weather Eye on the Horizon (15)

Very Late that Evening

Dear little book,

I’m in a tiny room in a big wooden house. I can’t believe what happened. I’m still scared.

We arrived inJamaicain the evening. I didn’t want to get off the ship, but everyone else was, except for two sailors left on guard, but they’ll be relieved later. I was hesitant to go onto the dock, put between Anne and David, I finally did. David could tell I was scared, because he put an arm around my shoulder, and said, “Tis okay, mate. I’m with ye.” I tried to smile at him, and we set off.

It was already a little dark out, and I didn’t want to go into any taverns or anything, so David told me he would take me to someone he knew. I was amazed at the size of this place. There were many buildings, many of which were taverns, judging from the raucous noise coming from them, and the streets were paved and many. But I was too tired to see anything, really, and I stumbled along, clinging to David at every corner we turned. Then we entered an alley. I really, really didn’t want to go down it, but David told me it was fine, just to stay close, which didn’t make me feel that better.

Then a man stumbled in front of us. I admit I screamed, because me nerves were frayed and I wasn’t expecting the sight. One of his eyes was missing and his breath smelled of rum – and a lot of it. I was shaking, but David held me tight, and told the man, “Leave us be.”

The man wheezed with laughter and reached towards me. He grabbed me and brought me close to him. I could see the whites of his eyes and I was terrified. David was saying something, but I was too scared to hear. The man hissed, “You be a girly, missy.” I was shaking and, I think, crying a little.

Then, out of the blue, there came a loud shot. The man’s grip on me lessened, and then he slowly fell away from me. I screamed. His eyes were rolling back and a large red spot was blossoming on his shirt. David came forward and grabbed me by the arms.

“Who did that?” I asked, in a hoarse whisper.

“I did,” said a very familiar voice. We looked further down the alley to see Anne standing there, a smoking pistol in her hand. “What’re you thinking, boy?” she snapped at David, who straightened. “Taking a girlie like her down this here alley at this time o’ day?”

“Night,” he muttered. I could tell he wasn’t happy about being told around.

“Well, get her somewhere safe! Somewhere without scum like him.” Anne gestured at the dead man whom I could not stop staring at.

David let go of me, and muttered, “Come on then.” He led the way down the alley towards a small, shabby-looking building. I managed to glance at it enough to see it looked like a tavern, and stopped dead, but David pushed me forward roughly, and reluctantly I entered.

It was empty, but then a big black woman came into the room. She was large, very stout, and had a round, smiling face. She caught sight of us, and hurried forward. “David, my boy!” she called, and then David was being enveloped in a huge hug. He entangled himself, laughing, and said, “This is Martha, mate. Me godmother in disguise.”

She looked at me closely a moment, and then shook with laughter. “I see you got yourself a girl, dearie,” she said. We both blushed a little, and David said quickly, “We’re just friends.”

Martha looked me over and then said, “You’re a maid, and you are around his lot?” She elbowed David. I was silent, confused and trying to think of how to tell her what had happened to me without making David angry. He seemed to be in a good mood, but I know his temper can be quick, and he was tired.