Stay with Me (42 page)

‘This won't be popular with the crews,' Captain Goss pointed out.

‘Popular or not, that is what they have to do or risk being out of a job,' came the sharp retort. ‘And might I remind you that the terms I have outlined will bring them all extra money if you two buy well and achieve quick voyages.' She did not give them chance to make any further objections, adding quickly, ‘That is all, gentlemen. Take it or leave it. I expect to see your ships ready in two days' time.' She turned sharply and strode away.

The captains eyed her for a moment before Captain Checkton spoke. ‘She has got us. My men want regular money for their families and it won't be easy to find other employment. And her terms are good - very tempting in fact. Might be different for you, you're on hired terms?'

Captain Goss pulled a face. ‘It's not as easy as that. As you say, money is money, and her terms for the Baltic voyages are good. But I am also bound by the terms of the hiring contract. I am hired until the end of the year; if I break our agreement it before that, I have to repay the money she spent on repairing my ship. If I don't, or can't, she has the power to confiscate it.'

‘Good grief, she has you over a barrel! Why did you sign on such terms?'

‘I saw it as a way of getting the
Seagull
repaired and at that time my crew were wanting steady employment which was hard to come by with the tub in that state.' He gave a shrug of his shoulders. ‘So, looks like it's the Baltic for us.'

Both captains had a hard time with their respective crews but, faced with the prospect of losing their steady berth, they finally settled down. Two days later, on a day when the breeze swelled the sails, the
Lena, William Hustwick
and the
Seagull
slipped away from the quayside for the open sea.

 

‘I have some disturbing news, Mr Bell,' said a grim-faced Captain Webb when the
John Carnforth
docked in Whitby. ‘The Hull firm Hustwick's already had three ships trading for timber in Riga when we arrived, and I was told this was their third visit recently. As a result they have got their hands on much of the best quality timber, with agreements to take even more until winter freezes the Baltic.'

This was something Ralph had not wanted to hear. He had pinned his trading hopes on timber from the Baltic and believed few others knew of his intentions. Though it was difficult to keep plans watertight in a port, he had tried - and failed. Someone had obviously talked. It would be impossible to find out who, though. He would have to accept the setback and plan around it. But it made him curious about Hustwick's trading in Riga with a full complement of ships. He recalled Alistair's warning and wondered if this was another spoiling tactic by Mrs Hustwick.

‘What timber did you bring?' Ralph asked.

‘A full cargo but not of the best quality. If you have any customers wanting that, they will have to go to Hustwick's of Hull.'

‘I have such customers, and it would stick in my throat to have to direct anyone there.'

‘You want me to keep sailing to the Baltic as intended?'

‘You'll have to. I have other orders to fulfil in which top quality is not essential, though of course the better quality would have brought a far greater profit. I am fortunate in having you, Captain Webb. You have previous experience of the Baltic and the vagaries of its climate. I want you to keep a close watch on that. Use your past experience and that of the locals to safeguard the ship at all costs. See to the cargo now, and come to my office tomorrow.'

‘Very good, sir.' As he watched Ralph stride down the gangway and hurry along the quay, Captain Webb wondered what he had in mind for he felt sure the manager was hatching a plan.

 

Three days later, with water streaming from his Inverness coat and dripping from the matching woollen cap, Alistair rushed into Carnforth's offices. Hearing the commotion, Ben left his ledger and peered out of the door to see pools of water forming around the doctors's feet as he shrugged himself out of his coat.

‘Mr Nash! Let me take that and your cap. I'll hang them on the coat rack.'

‘Thanks, Ben,' he said, handing the garments over. ‘It's most unpleasant out there.'

‘It is, sir. The old stagers predicted it a couple of days ago.'

Alistair nodded. ‘So I heard. These old sailors are better than barometers. Is Mr Bell in his office?'

‘He is indeed, sir. Would you like me to announce you?'

‘No need,' replied Alistair, with a dismissive shake of his hand.

‘Very good, sir.' The clerk disappeared into his office.

Alistair brushed some of the rain from the bottom of his trousers, and entered the room.

Ralph rose and extended his hand, which Alistair shook warmly. ‘Haven't seen you for over a fortnight,' said the manager.

‘No. I've been busy. There's been an outbreak of measles among the local children.'

‘I hope you are able to contain it?'

‘I think Dr Jollif and I have it under control, but we are keeping a watchful eye,' said Alistair as he sat down on the opposite side of the desk from Ralph. ‘I have just come from Mr and Mrs Verity's. Their youngest is showing symptoms. I'm hopeful my early treatment might prevent it from being a bad attack.'

‘Indeed, I hope so.'

Alistair grimaced. ‘But I didn't come here to talk medical matters.'

Ralph smiled. ‘I don't suppose you did.' He held up his hands as if to stop Alistair saying more. ‘I take it my clerks are taking care of your wet clothes? Now let me give you a drop of whisky to drive the damp away.' He rose from his chair as he was speaking and went to the mahogany press, opening it to reveal a bottle and glasses.

‘Thank you,' said Alistair, picking up his glass and savouring his first sip of the malt. ‘As I said, I have just come from the Veritys'. Mr Verity had a word with me as I was leaving. He knows I really have very little to do with the firm but was alarmed that you had had to direct an order for good quality Scandinavian timber, required for his building trade, to another merchant.'

Ralph tightened his lips. ‘I'm sorry to say that is so.' He went on to explain how the situation had arisen.

Alistair nodded his understanding but posed the question, ‘What can we do about it?'

‘The immediate answer is, nothing. When Captain Webb brought the news to me that Hustwick's were operating in Riga with their full complement of ships, I suspected they had somehow heard of my intention of sending a ship into the Baltic for timber and so pre-empted me with their bigger fleet, to corner the market.'

‘This is not the first time they have moved in on one of your enterprises. While those never truly failed, they did not make the profits they would have done if Hustwick's had not moved first.'

‘I agree, and it will be the same with this particular venture. But I am working on a plan to counteract what Hustwick's are doing.'

Alistair raised an eyebrow in query.

‘I really don't want to say any more at this stage,' said Ralph, then added quickly, ‘Not that you will reveal anything, I know, but I want to be especially cautious about this. I have things to work out. You can't keep the movement of ships a secret for too long so timing will be of the utmost importance here. I don't want any early speculation to reach Hustwick's ears.'

‘I understand perfectly well, and you do right to keep your cards close.'

 

‘John has woken from his nap with a heavy cold,' commented Olivia in concern when she came into the drawing-room, carrying the young boy.

Avril put down the book she was reading and was quickly on her feet. ‘Let me take him.' She reached out then hesitated. ‘Olivia, have you had measles?'

‘No, why?' Reading the inference behind Avril's query, alarm tinged her voice. ‘You think he has caught it?'

‘I can't be certain, but I don't like that redness and watering of his eyes, particularly as it's combined with an exceptionally runny nose. I think you had better let me take him back to bed. You should not have contact with him now.'

Olivia reluctantly handed her son over. She wanted to hold on, comfort her snuffling child with a soft embrace.

Avril murmured to him as she headed for the door. Olivia, her brow furrowed with worry, followed them upstairs. As Avril laid him gently back in his bed, she said over her shoulder, ‘I think you had better leave the room.'

‘But, I . . .'

‘I know what you are going to say, but it is for the best, I promise you. We don't want you catching measles. It seems to be worse for adults.'

‘Will John be all right?' his mother queried anxiously as Avril ushered her from the room.

‘With care and attention, there is no reason why he won't be. Let us hope it is not a serious case. From what I have seen in Dundee, it doesn't look to be at the moment.'

‘What can I do?' Olivia asked, glancing back at her child from the doorway.

‘I'll see to things here. You slip home, tell your mother and father, and ask them to send Alistair here as soon as they see him.'

Olivia nodded and turned towards the stairs.

‘And don't worry,' Avril called after her.

 

When Alistair arrived he confirmed that John had measles and commended Avril on the precautions she had taken and the way she had treated the patient. While he approved of her banning Olivia from the sick room, he asked uneasily, ‘Have you had measles, Avril?'

‘Yes, when I was two. I've also had experience of treating the illness with my father so I'll do all I can for John.'

His relief was palpable. ‘We are lucky to have you here. But I don't want you overtiring yourself.'

‘Can we get any help for Avril?' queried Olivia.

‘With the outbreak of the disease in Whitby, I have no one to ask.'

‘I'll be all right,' stressed Avril.

‘Mother could relieve you now and again,' suggested Alistair.

‘That would be a help. I will call on her only if necessary, but her support of Olivia would be invaluable.'

‘I'll tell her,' said Alistair, and went on to give his instructions. ‘Olivia, you must not enter that room; you can view John only from the doorway. If measles runs its course, he'll develop a nasty-looking rash - not a pretty sight, but don't be alarmed, that is entirely normal. He'll also have a high temperature, which will make him restless.

‘Avril, you need to control the fever, protect his eyes, give him plenty to drink and make sure he rests in bed. But I'm sure you know all this. If there are no complications . . . with care and attention there shouldn't be . . . he will be recovering well in about ten days.'

 

Alistair straightened up from the bed as John came out of a deep sleep and grinned at his uncle. ‘There, that's what I like to see. You gave us all a shock but you are all right now. Another day or so and you'll be running about as if nothing had happened.'

‘Can I take him down to his mama?' asked Avril, giving John a reassuring smile.

‘Of course.'

She picked up the boy carefully, keeping him well wrapped up in a blanket. She hugged him as she went to the door, which Alistair opened, and walked to the top of the stairs. As he watched, he was struck by the Madonna-like pose. The faces of the woman and the child glowed with peace and contentment. Avril looked beautiful - how had he missed that before? Why hadn't he seen it? Had Lena got in the way? Why had he not rejected all thoughts of her and replaced her in his affections with the young woman who stood just a few yards away?

He stepped towards her. Avril turned her head and smiled at him, a smile that not only expressed her joy at John's recovery but also met on level terms the loving light she saw in his uncle's eyes. Avril's heart leaped. Alistair put out one arm to support her. ‘Let's go down,' he said, but there was more than mere words to reassure her. It was the way he spoke to her, and his touch. Their eyes met and the message that passed between them was joyous and unmistakable.

As the year wore on Lena was delighted whenever merchants from Whitby came to them for quality timber from Riga, for it meant she had scored another victory over Carnforth's undermining their income and stability as well as weakening the trust merchants set in them.

The pleasure he saw in her on these occasions made Peter realise the real cause of her insistence on sending their three ships to the Baltic, and the reason why she was ordering the captains to make quick turn-arounds without any thought for respite for the crews.

They had just watched the three ships sail again. As they turned away from the quay he said, ‘You are driving them too hard, Lena. You'll have to let up soon or there will be trouble.'

She gave a mocking laugh. ‘You think so? Money talks, and that's keeping them happy. Always will.'

‘They'll only take so much. I'm told there are murmurings.'

‘Let them murmur - they daren't take any action.'

‘Who knows? Men have their breaking point. You are driving them excessively hard in your attempt to bring Carnforth's to the point of ruin so that then you can make them an offer they won't be able to resist. It will be that or face ruin.' His voice charged with warning, Peter added, ‘Remember, it needs both our signatures to agree such a purchase.'

She stopped walking, grabbed his arm and pulled him round to face her. He looked into eyes that were burning with fury. ‘Don't you ever
dare
to oppose me on this.' Lena's voice was cold. ‘Yes, one day I will have the firm that should be in the hands of a true Carnforth. And then I can pass it down, along with this one, to
our son
.'