All are in peril in BG. Will Uncle Bubba survive? What are William Land's plans for CG? Will Tiger get to Raven before he's forced to do this favor for a mysterious Bounty Hunter and clear his name? Brandy and Bruce are about to face down Regan and...
Jhonny tentatively clambered through the bilge hatch, it seemed that every bone in his body was aching.
It was so bad he was becoming delusional and even had trouble working out which way he was facing.
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It was becoming clear that Josie was not the patient type, as she continued to prod and goad him, like some dumb farm animal.
She was damn irritating, and it really didn't' help.
He was about to yell when he stumbled and fell, giving out a yelp.
He plunged headfirst into the bilge water, as he went under his head was ringing like a bell.
Josie could not see a thing, all she heard was a slash and then the sound of silence.
She screamed.
"Oh my God what have I done?"
Could it be that for a moment she had grown a conscience?
Then from below came the sound of spluttering and cursing as Jhonny came to the surface.
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It was a pity Jhonny could not see the sign of relief, etched upon her dirty, but pretty face.
She now knew it was time to act, and not to waste valuable time teasing a fragile Jhonny.
It had suddenly stopped being fun, this was not the behaviour expected of a young lady.
Climbing down to where a bedraggled Jhonny, bobbed like a cork in the stinking water, she whispered apologetically.
"I'm sorry Jhonny, I didn't mean for you to fall and will do my best to make it right, please tell me what we have to do, you are in no fit state to carry on?"
She was right he was in no fit state, even to argue, he reached out in the dark and found her arm, then gently pointed it toward a chink of light in the distance and explained what needed to be done.
His unseen touch made her tingle and the tiny soft hair of her arm rose, and through the darkness she felt the sense of romance for the first time.
"OK Josie, it's up to you now, I'll do my best to follow, so be on your way, and please be careful."
Much to Jhonny's surprise, he felt her place a gentle kiss upon his hand and said.
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"Don't you worry, I can look after myself, there is no need to be fearful."
Their hands parted and she slipped into the darkness, he could not resist a smile.
Even though dark she moved through the bilge's rafters like a cat, considering the once beautiful dress she wore, her movement was bewildering.
The circus life had taught her many things, but right now agility was probably top of a long list.
Just as Jhonny had said, the light was coming down a narrow shaft, that fed bilge gases to the ship's stack, peering through the vent cover she saw the Engine Room he had described. Even though she had more important things to worry about, she could not help but wonder how he had learnt of this, it was a question that needed an answer.
In front of her she could see someone with a gun standing guard over what remained of the Engine Room crew, and noted the giant of a man who they had made move the barrels, leaning on a shovel, obviously waiting for orders to stoke the engine.
Just as Jhonny had described she was able to open the hatch, by gently pulling the small lever at its base, and like a mouse crept on to the deck, the big guy watched her arrival without blinking an eye.
Her heart was pounding, picking up a lump of coal, and threw it as hard she could, it hit the guard square on the head, he dropped like a stone.
But to her surprise an unseen guard stepped into the light and raised his gun, but before he could pull the trigger the stoker crushed his skull with a swing of the shovel.
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Somehow, she kept her cool and started giving orders to the crew.
"Quickly, barricade the doors, Mr Denver, is about to board the ship and needs the Engine Room and the crew secured."
Without a word they respond, and the doors are secured, pointing to the hatch she says breathlessly.
"We have to help Jhonny he's in the bilges."
The giant of a man responds.
"Don't you worry young lady; he knows those bilges better than any man and will make his way to safety in his own good time."
"But, he's inj......."
Her voice tails off as there is a sudden judder, she and the crew are thrown across the deck as the Liberty Belle is grounded in the Salt Marsh.
Above decks they could hear the sound of gunfire, it did not last long.
She had not realised, that the Stoker had caught her in his arms, preventing her from hitting the Engine Room walls.
She instinctively knew he meant her no harm and welcomed the protection and breathed a deep sigh of relief.
