Ill Wind and Dead Reckoning: Caribbean Pirate Adventure (Valkyrie) (29 page)

‘Gabriella, I don’t suppose there’s any point in asking you to shelter in the cabin?’ Leo asked as he passed.

‘None at all,’ I said cheerfully. I had just come out of the cabin where Klara was suffering from seasickness. She did not like storms and had told me in no uncertain terms to get out and leave her alone. I was happy to oblige. If I stayed any longer in there with that smell, I would have been throwing up in sympathy. Anyway I
wanted
to be on deck, storm or no storm.

‘Well, in that case, go forward and give them a hand hauling those clew lines, it’ll free up another hand to go aloft. It looks like things are going to get interesting, I love a good storm!’

He strode down the steps to the quarterdeck, shouting orders as he went, and I stared after him in frustration. Since that day on the beach at La Isla Magdalena a month ago he had treated me as just another member of the crew. I was furious with myself, I had not really thought he would harm me, but I suppose the adage was true – old habits really did die hard. I had been thinking about the pistol and he had taken me by surprise, but surely he knew it was not him that I had shied away from? And was that really enough to put him off? I stared after him in frustration and for a moment almost hated him for turning his back on me. I had hoped he would try and kiss me again, but that seemed an impossibility now. I ran past him to help my crewmates.

My excitement grew with the increase in the wind and I caught hold of the end of the rope on the maindeck that Leo had pointed out. Jean-Claude and Jimmy were already swigging on it – grabbing hold when standing then dropping down to a crouch – and I helped Carlos drag the slack they created through the block to make it fast around the belaying pin. They were singing their rhythm and obviously knew their shanty well. I found it strangely hypnotic and watched the sail far above me shake out its wind whilst my body did the work. I was still trying to memorise what all the running rigging did and I watched the highest sail on the mainmast fold up on itself as we hauled. Each heave brought the bottom corners of the sail up towards the yard over which half a dozen men were lying waiting to grasp and tame it in the increasing wind. It was hard to keep my eye on them with the mast swaying around so much, but I watched open-mouthed as strong, leathery hands dragged up the centre of the sail to make it fast, thinking they must have claws on those hands instead of fingers. I looked at my own ravaged hands and realized they still had a lot of hardening up to do.

‘Are you helping or watching, lovey? ‘Cause if it’s a show you’re wanting, you’d best get out of our way, we’ve a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in!’

Jimmy had a point; if I was going to help, I had better get on with it. I ran forward to where Jean-Claude and Feliciano were now heaving on lines to knock the wind out of the fore-topsail, and I arrived just in time to grab the end of that sail’s clewline and start heaving. Within minutes, all I was aware of was pain: the pain of the rope around my hand and the pain in my back and shoulders; even my legs hurt from bracing my weight on the deck.

‘Let go, lovey! Let go!’ I looked up at Jimmy in surprise. ‘Don’t ever wrap the line around your hand like that! If it slips it’ll haul your hand through the block and take it off. Do it like this!’

I twirled my hand to release the rope, eyeing the block in dread – would it really take my hand off? I grabbed hold again, this time clutching a single turn and kept my hand square to the line to give me some purchase. I nodded my thanks to Jimmy and hauled.

*

Half an hour later, sea and wind had both picked up and every third wave or so broke over the decks, leaving us waist-high in water until it drained through the scuppers and the next one thundered down on us. I felt like a pebble stuck in the rapids of a fast-flowing river as the rush of water swept my legs away again and I crashed into Jimmy, knocking him down as well.

‘Get aft! Get aft!’ Jimmy shouted at me. ‘We’ve one hand for the ship and one for ourselves – nobody’s got none for you. You’re in the way now, get yourself abaft!’

I was overwhelmed enough that I did not need telling twice and inched my way along the starboard bulwark to the aft of the ship, making sure I had something to hold on to and ducking down for shelter when the waves crashed into us. My feet were swept away again, more than once, but I fought the force of the water and hung on tight, dangling from shrouds, ratlins or anything else handy, but still with the ship. I noticed in disbelief that the men in the masts were still there; still handing sails; still being flung about left, right and centre. My eyes were blinded by salt water again and I was reminded of my first night aboard – had I really thought we were sinking? That had been nothing compared to this.

I heard another voice close by and felt a strong hand grab my upper arm, but I could not see or hear who it was. I was dragged further aft where, thank God, or Neptune or whoever was in charge of the winds, I recognized my captor as Leo. I had feared it was Newton and that he would give me a helping hand overboard. I sagged in relief, but fell to the deck yet again when Leo let go of me and ran forward.

Annoyed at being abandoned so suddenly, I opened my mouth to protest, only to spit out seawater. I fumbled my way back, past the tiller with Mr Davys and Mr Frazer, his crutches abandoned, hanging on to it for dear life. I wondered briefly who was steering whom?

I reached the cabins and braced myself against their wall, hanging on to the steps leading up to the poopdeck. I still did not know why Leo had dropped me and was angry when I saw him emerge out of the spray. He came closer and I turned my back to the wind and the driving waves to berate him, but his expression stopped me. What would shock this man so much on his own decks?

‘Bear up! Get her head to wind!

‘Watch those sheets, if we’re caught aback in this, we’ll spring the masts!’

Even as I shouted orders I knew he was gone. The waves were so big I’d lost sight of him almost immediately, but we had to try.
Freedom
was slowing, but it would take half an hour to wear her round and back to where he’d gone into the water. Jimmy’s only hope was the longboat.

At least it was already in the water, being towed behind us. Thomas and a few others brought it alongside, despite the conditions, and were climbing down into the tiny bucking boat.

‘What happened? Did you see?’ I asked Newton, who was also leaning over the rail and trying to spot our shipmate.

‘I don’t know. I think he was in the way of that last wave, it must have knocked the pegleg from under him and carried him over.’

I nodded. The hardest thing about sailing through a storm was the enormous waves that broke over the decks. Jimmy wasn’t the first sailor to be caught out, and neither would he be the last. We’d all heard the tales of ships that had lost an entire watch overboard in a heavy, gale-whipped swell.

I left Newton and went aft. Gabriella was still on deck; at least she hadn’t been the one to go over. I was surprised at the stab of relief I felt and was immediately ashamed.

‘What’s happened? Why aren’t we sailing?’ she asked as soon as I got close enough to read her lips. I grabbed her arms and told her, ‘It’s Jimmy, he’s been swept overboard. He’s gone.’

I looked at her, her hair plastered to her face and her shirt soaked through and stuck to her skin. I was overtaken with desire and worry for her.
What had I been thinking, bringing her aboard?
She’d tried to pull away again when I’d grabbed her, and I realized she still kept her distance from the men and kept looking about her –
checking for ways of escape?
She shied away if my approach took her by surprise, and I couldn’t forget the look of fear in her eyes on that beach when I’d moved to kiss her.
Do I frighten her so much?
I wanted to kill the man who’d done this to her – turned her into a frightened mouse. Although she was the most headstrong, wilful and plain disobedient mouse I’d ever met. And now one of my crew was dead – another death that was on my hands as captain – and all I could think was how, despite my frustration, I’d never admired anyone so much for the way she held on to her strength through her fear. I was frightened by how much I wanted to hold this woman, to hang on to her and make sure she’d always be safe – yet I’d brought her to this most dangerous life. I’d most likely do worse than her husband and get her killed. I couldn’t let another love die.

‘You don’t need to be out here, get into the cabin. I need to concentrate on finding Jimmy – I can’t have you out here distracting me.’ I half–dragged her to the door of the chartroom despite her protests, and tried to ignore the injured look on her face before I turned away. This wasn’t the time to pay attention to my heart – I needed her to be safe.

I grabbed my glass from inside and went back out. I could see the longboat, although it was obscured by the water in the troughs. I couldn’t see Jimmy, and the weather was worsening. If I wasn’t careful I’d lose the men in the longboat too, but could only wait for them to give up the search and return to the ship.

‘He’s gone, hasn’t he?’

I jumped. Gabriella had disobeyed me yet again, and had joined me at the rail.

‘Yes. I thought I told you to stay inside.’

‘I decided not to.’

‘You realize that’s mutiny?’

‘Is it?’

‘I could hang you from the yards for mutiny.’

‘But you won’t.’

‘No.’

What if it had been her?
That was all I could think.
What if it had been her?

*

We searched for hours, even though after only a few minutes we all knew we’d only been looking for a body. Eventually the longboat and her defeated men returned to
Freedom
, without even a pegleg to show for their labours.

We sailed on.

We were back on the sands of La Isla Magdalena, but this time there was no treasure shanty. There was no singing or laughter at all. We had some damage to the rigging from the storm to repair and a shipmate to send off – his spirit, anyway. Neptune, or Leo’s San Antonio, had already taken his body. I was more disturbed than I’d expected over Jimmy’s death – it wasn’t as if he’d been particularly welcoming or even nice to me. He’d rescued Klara and me that time from Newton and the others’ attentions, but had only complained since. Now there’d be no more of his moaning, no more berating, and no more of his stamping about the decks. I realized I’d miss him.

I knew I was probably jumping to conclusions, but what if he’d been right? What if I
had
brought trouble down on him? I couldn’t quite shake the suspicion that Newton, Smith or Ime had helped him overboard. But a suspicion was all it was. I was probably wrong; they were shipmates after all. I had neither proof nor certainty, and they didn’t seem to be reacting to the accident any differently than the others. Yes, it was nonsense. It must be, although the smirk Newton habitually used instead of a smile kept me wondering. I knew he hadn’t forgotten that day below decks, and I knew it was only Leo’s threats that kept Klara and me safe from him. I shuddered. I wouldn’t put it past him to have taken revenge that way.

I was more concerned about Leo. I’d thought we were getting close again and I’d enjoyed his attention the last time we were on this beach over a month ago. Since Jimmy’s accident, though, we could hardly sustain a conversation, and he’d never shown any more inclination to try. He was cold, yet not rude; considerate, yet not friendly; and now he was more distant than ever. I told myself it was because of Jimmy. I knew he blamed himself, as he would for the death of anyone on his ship, and I hoped he just needed time. I tried to understand, but didn’t. I was shocked at losing Jimmy so suddenly, but that shock quickly turned into a desire to live more; to make the most of each day just in case it was the last. Only the man who was the most important part of my day was staying out of my way.

I went to find the ship’s sailmaker, George. We’d ripped a couple of sails when we wore round to search for Jimmy, and I knew he had a lot of repairs to get through. Despite it being very different from the embroidery I’d done before I came to sea, I found working on the sails relaxing and I took a great deal of satisfaction from forcing the big needle through canvas. I could tuck myself out of the way with the sail, needle and leather palm, and use the monotony of the task to watch my fellow crewmates at work. More than once I saw Leo start when he caught my eye and walk quickly away.

A wake for Jimmy was planned for the evening, and I hoped Leo would get back to normal afterwards. The rest of the ship too – everyone seemed quiet and irritable at this reminder of the risks we each took every day we were afloat.

*

Klara and I hadn’t known Jimmy as well as everyone else aboard, we’d only been with them six weeks or so and, as usual, we tried to stay out of their way as they made their preparations. Another large fire took shape on the beach – there was always plenty of driftwood available in these waters – and casks were dragged out on to deck to serve as stools. The sunset behind the backdrop of large clouds was almost as spectacular as the dawn the last time we were here, and the whole world seemed bathed with fire; it was somehow very apt for a goodbye.

‘Come on, lass.’ Mr Gaunt had spotted me at the break of the poop, huddled against the cabin bulkhead with Klara. ‘He were thy crewmate an’all, and he took to thee more than he did the rest of us.’

He laughed at my look of surprise. ‘He weren’t one for showing his softer side, I knows that, but he did have a soft spot for thee, lass.’

‘Soft spot! He suffered me, he certainly didn’t welcome me!’

‘Aye. He didn’t suffer anyone he didn’t like.’

I smiled at him, not sure if he was just trying to make me feel more included, but we walked with him to the huddle of men and rum punch on the maindeck.

‘The captain has a soft spot too, he’ll come round.’

I looked sharply at him, but he’d moved to speak to Carlos who seemed to be guarding the rum tonight. I didn’t get a chance to ask him to expand on what he’d said. He handed us beakers of rum punch, and I noticed Klara smirk, but before she could say anything, Leo stood up and everyone hushed.

‘Jimmy was a hard man to get to know, and a harder one to like, but he was part of this ship and this crew and a valuable part at that.’

‘Aye, when he wasn’t croaking about summat or other!’

I didn’t see who shouted out, but I did recognize there was no malice in what was said. I was surprised at Leo’s words as well, but this seemed to be the way these men grieved: with honesty.

Leo laughed. ‘Sí, he always told you what he thought, that’s for sure!’

Then he raised his rumpot in a toast. ‘Jimmy. He was one of us, and he’ll be missed.’

‘But not his cooking!’

There was more laughter and everyone drank, repeating, ‘Jimmy!’ I did the same.

It was all very simple and somehow the laughter was appropriate – Jimmy would have had no patience with sorrow or tears. He had no patience in life with fuss; he wouldn’t have appreciated it in death. Somehow, despite, or maybe because of the humour, this was sincere.

I lost sight of Leo for a moment while everyone was toasting and milling about, topping up their rumpots, and I stood up to look for him. He still hadn’t spoken to me properly since the longboat had come back without Jimmy.

‘Settle down, lass, he’ll come round,’ Mr Gaunt said again. I smiled, knowing I had a friend in him.

‘He always takes a dying hard. Just give him time, lass.’

I refilled his rumpot and gave it to him, then realized Leo was back. He and Frazer had carried a well-decorated seachest on to deck. Jimmy’s seachest.

‘Now where’s he going?’ I whispered to Mr Gaunt as I watched Leo walk aft again. ‘What’s he doing?’

‘Cap don’t do this bit.’ Mr Gaunt whispered back. ‘He never takes none of his crew’s chattels, never has. Mr Frazer’ll do the honours and Cap’ll come back out when it’s done.’

I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking about what Mr Gaunt had said, then asked, ‘He’s taking this hard isn’t he? I thought he was angry, but it’s more than that.’

‘Aye, he takes loss hard does the Cap, always has for as long as I’ve known him. He lost his family when he were a nipper, then his childhood sweetheart were killt too. He’s never forgot and he feels their loss every time he suffers a new ‘un.’

I looked at Mr Gaunt again, his weather-beaten leathery face for once not stretched into a smile. He saw a lot with those sun-scorched eyes. I was saved from having to comment by Frazer’s shout for attention.

‘We’ve some business to take care of afore we drink to Jimmy proper, and I’d rather we got it over with. Jimmy didn’t have no family, so there’ll not be an auction, we’ve to share his dunnage ‘tween ourselves.’

‘God bless him.’ That was Smith. I frowned. I doubted he was sincere.

‘He’d not got much in the way of coin, I’ll wager he’d already shared that with you through the dice.’

There was laughter.

‘Aye, he never had much fortune at casting the dice.’

‘What you left him we’ll split equally with you all. Clothes and such’ll go in the slopchest, I’ll take his spare leg, then there’s his seachest and his guns. We can’t split them, so they’ll go by vote or draw. Who should ‘ave them?’

‘He still owed me some winnings. I’ll take them in lieu.’ That was Newton, but his words were greeted with groans.

‘He couldn’t stand you, Newton. He wouldn’t have wanted you to have them.’ Frazer was nothing if not direct.

I looked at Newton. He’d turned bright red and looked like he wanted to strangle someone. I was glad I wasn’t standing nearby.

‘What about Gabriella?’

I looked up in surprise at the sound of Leo’s voice.

‘She and Klara are the only ones here without either, and she’s probably the only one aboard who looked for his company, even when she wasn’t hungry.’ More laughter. ‘She should take them.’

I smiled at him, pleased he’d returned and was taking my part, but he didn’t smile back. There was a chorus of ‘ayes’ – and more hate-filled glares from Newton and Smith, but I was getting used to those by now. I stared back until they remembered Leo’s threat and dropped their eyes, and I had a pirate’s chest for my riches, and the weapons to put in it.

*

The chest was unlike anything I’d seen before I came to sea, and was much more than a container. He’d made it himself from wood and spare canvas and had decorated it with shell and knotted line.
How many endless drifting calms had passed in this enterprise?
The handles in particular were works of art, and I couldn’t work out where the complicated round knots started or ended. I loved all the intricate detailing and was proud to own it, even if I didn’t have much to put in it. That would change. I wasn’t going to rely on the generosity of pirates, even Leo, for my possessions and essentials. I needed to earn my own.

Whilst Mr Gaunt and Mr Frazer carried my new chest to my cabin for me, I went to thank Leo for his consideration.

‘It was the only thing that made sense, you’ve nothing to thank me for.’

‘If you don’t want my thanks can I ask for some of your time?’

‘In aid of?’

‘Another shooting lesson.’ We’d got on so well last time, I hoped it would ease whatever was wrong now, and things might even finish on a better note.

‘You don’t need another lesson. I’ve shown you how to use a gun. Take yourself off and keep practising.’

Then he looked at me for the first time since we’d dropped anchor. He looked as if he would say something else, but instead clenched his jaw and strode from me to the flowing cask of rum punch and the rest of the crew. I went after him and grabbed his arm.

‘What is it? Why are you being like this?’

Now he looked disgusted. ‘Jimmy’s been gone less than a day and you want me to play with his guns with you? Have some respect, for the dead at least if not for the living.’ His voice rose until he was shouting and I watched him walk away, shocked at his outburst.

We’d spent the best part of a couple of months together, and his behaviour towards me had been exemplary. Even in a place where his word was law and he could do whatever he wanted with or to me and Klara, he’d treated us with respect. Now he was angry, dismissive and rude. What was wrong with him? What was wrong with
me
? Didn’t he like me after all? But if he didn’t like me, why did he put up with me? Why had he spent so much time with me, patiently teaching me how to live in his world? He
’
d
accepted me on to his crew and given me Jimmy’s chest and guns, so why was he angry with me?