ROCKED BY THE WAVES

by Alisa Grey

  He finally approached and helped me get undressed. He hugged me and I felt happy.

  «Are you okay, Sam? Why are you worried?», I asked smoothly.

  He caressed my cheek and then he kissed me.

  «It’s just that... you’re so beautiful. You’re so perfect... I’m not sure I deserve you».

  I started undressing him. I kissed his chest and said: «I love you».

  We hugged. We were happy, because we were together. He protected me with his body and I felt comfortable. I liked the way his head touched my cheek. I could feel him breathing.

  He raised his head and looked into my eyes. He was trying to guess what I was thinking about.

  He kissed me and we made love. It was true love and I knew he really cared for me. I was free and I was with him. It was a perfect moment.

  When we woke up, we heard the sailors screaming and getting ready to leave. Le Havre was an important harbor, so many ships stopped there. I looked out of the window: it was packed with people. Some of them were shouting, others were sleeping on the ground. Seagulls kept playing in the water, while many women were trying to sell their own bodies in order to make ends meet.

  The air smelt bad. It was a mixture between fish, salt, oil and rotten fruit. It was topped with the dirt of those people. I felt like I was part of that life; I was used to seeing such poverty, but I was also used to coming back home at the end of the day. That very moment, I felt as if I were one of them.

  Some of the people willing to leave had bought their tickets from tricksters. They had been told that in Nova Scotia everything would have been easier for them, that it was a wealthy country and that they would become rich soon. The truth was many people would have been sent back to England as soon as they had gotten to Nova Scotia.

  We were waiting on the quayside. It was raining. Sam was hugging me.

  «Come on, we’re going to go shopping today. And we’ll also need to check on our new documents».

  I kissed him. Around us, many young women were trying to catch Sam’s attention. Some of them were especially regardless towards me.

  «Sam... how did you get to know this guesthouse? Just out of curiosity», I was jealous.

  He laughed. «I’ve been told to come here. It’s a safe place. And I had never been here before, I swear. I hope your husband won’t look for you here».

  He smiled at me and help my hand.

  The streets around us were narrow and dark. They smelt bad, just like the harbor.

  «Come on, we need to have breakfast».

  I follow him.

  «You know, our tickets included a night’s stay in that guesthouse. Come on, we must collect our tickets and then we’re going to go have breakfast. We’ll also need to go shopping, you know».

  «Where do we need to collect our tickets?»

  «Somewhere safe. I know someone...»

  We entered a small building. We took the stairs and then stopped in front of a door. I looked at the inside. It was very small, sort of a two-room apartment.

  The walls must have been white when the house was built. Now they were dirty and covered with pictures. Were those Scottish views?

  We entered the main room. A bunch of men were writing. They spoke a language I didn’t understand. They saw Sam and – I believe – they welcomed him.

  A tall red-haired man came to us. He looked at me with his huge green eyes, then he greeted Sam. His hair was long and tied in a tail. He said something to Sam, which went red. I didn’t understand what had just happened, so I asked.

  «What did he just say?»

  Sam looked at me. He was embarrassed and avoided the question.

  «Our papers are ready. We must pay for them and then we shall go».

  We went to the desk where the other men were sitting. They all raised their heads to look at me.

  «You must sign here, Claire».

  I read them. I was Claire Campbell and I was married to Samuel Campbell. I signed using my new signature, and so did Sam. We paid and took the papers.

  I heard those men screaming as I left the room.

  «What did they say? Sam... tell me».

  «Nothing... they just said you’re very charming. They’re Scottish and, well... they say things their way».

  I laughed. «Come on, let’s go get some breakfast. And, please, don’t hold my hand like that. I’ll need it for the future».

  «Oh, I’m sorry».

  We got to the city centre and stopped in front of a bakery. We got in and Sam asked for tea, orange juice and brioches. I couldn’t help it but notice his French was perfect. When we were finished, we got up and decided to walk for a while.

  «Where did you learn to speak French so well?»

  «I have lived in Paris for a few years. I had business to take care of».

  «You mean... for Alex? What kind of business?»

  «I don’t really feel like talking about it», he said. His voice was sharp.

  «So...», I changed the subject, «where are you taking me?»

  He smiled. «We’re going shopping. You’ll need something new to keep you warm. It’s windy, in Nova Scotia, and the weather is constantly changing. And Halifax’s really foggy».

  «Have you ever been there?» I was stuck.

  He smiled. «No, but my mother’s friends have been living there for many years».

  «Your mother? You never told me about her».

  «My parents don’t love each other anymore. She was a rich Scottish lady; she was very catholic and she married against her father’s will. As the time went by, she got sort of... a call. She now lives in a convent. That’s where I went when I told you I’d go to Edinburgh for a few days.»

  Then he continued. «She’s part of a monastic order. It was funded by an Italian nun. My mother travels a lot. She visits hospitals and so on with her sisters... she is going to help us and you will be able to help young women and their children. Just like you did in London».

  I hugged him.

  «I love you more and more. You’re always so caring...»

  He kissed me on the forehead.

  «My mother once told me that when I found the right woman for me I would inherit all of our family’s money. I told her about you. I told her you were married, that I loved you so much and that we want to be together from now on. I told her you’re the one for me. So now I am... rich. I inherited her money and we don’t have to worry about anything».

  I was speechless.

  «Sam...»

  A sudden thought stuck me.

  «Sam... talking of women...»

  I must have gone red. He looked at me and smiled.

  «You want to know about my past... experiences», he said.

  I shook my head. I was unable to look him in the eyes.

  «When I was fourteen, I gave my first kiss. At sixteen, I fell for someone. At eighteen, I had sex. It happened with a blond blue-eyed girl. She was a friend’s daughter. She was very nice. We used to walk together and have tea. I didn’t enjoy the sex much, though. It was not like... I didn’t feel what I feel with you. And that girl... she was keen on parties, clothes and gossiping with her friends. We were very different. My mother never approved of her. And she was right. And then... well, then I met you».

  I looked at him. «You’re really telling me you haven’t been having sex for three years? but you’re... charming!»

  He smiled at me and he kissed my forehead. «I was waiting for you».

  I hugged him at once.

  «I’m sorry I married Alex. I shouldn’t have».

  «We’re together now».

  We bought a trunk, two cases, warm clothes, boots, jackets, shirts and bed linen.

  We were supposed to look wealthy, but not too much, so we avoided flashy outfits. I was happy about that, because I didn’t like it when women belonging to the upper-class got changed five times a day. It was silly.

  Every shop assistant that we met looked at Sam in a... certain way. He was charming and he
was always helping me choose the most appropriate item to buy. At the end of the day, we were exhausted. We asked a bunch of children to help us with our bags and paid them. We washed our hands and got out once again. We needed to get something to eat.

  We had meat in roquefort sauce and roasted potatoes. We drank an excellent wine.

  The day had been very tiring, so when we got to our room we fell asleep at once.

  We woke up very early because someone was screaming. It looked like a gentleman had something to say about his «lady» for the night. He was complaining to the innkeeper. Sam and I got dressed and left.

  We got to the harbor very early. It was already packed with people: families, sailors and bags were just everywhere. It was windy and I appreciated that. It smelt a bit better than the previous day.

  Wealthy people were keeping an eye on their belongings. They were clearly impatient to occupy their suites. We were fine with our second class tickets, Sam and I. I was feeling sorry for those who were clearly unable to pay for their journey: they must have asked friends and relatives for money before they reached the amount needed. We were 1300 passengers.

  Third class passengers were asked to undergo medical controls. Luckily, we were not, so we got on the boat and showed our documents to the captain.

  «Mr and Mrs Campbell. Right, please follow the man over there. He’ll take you to your room.»

  We were taken to our room. It was a small, but tidy one. The bathroom was well equipped, even if it was really tiny.

  We looked at the bed. I was really willing to lay there with Sam...

  «Sam, will you undress me? I’d like to rest for a while...»

  It was nine o’clock in the morning, I had woken up few hours before and it was way too noisy to rest.

  He looked at me.

  «Right... “rest for a while”...»

  I turned pink and tried to act cool, but he quickly undressed me and took me to the bed.

  «I love you, Claire».

  We were both naked by then. We made love furiously and I was happy. I wanted him so bad. I needed to feel him moving inside of me. When we both came, we were sweating. My heart was beating fast. I wanted to do it again.

  «Please, Claire. Just give me a minute...»

  He was barely breathing. I kissed him anyway and caressed his body. My hands were willing to touch him, and so they did. I licked his chest and felt him humming.

  We made love again and again. I don’t know how many hours we spent like that, but I started feeling hungry. We were very tired and we both started laughing. I looked out of the small porthole and saw that it was dark. We needed to take a bath and then we would be able to go grab something to eat. Taking a bath was hard, anyway. We were willing to make love once again and couldn’t take our hands off of each other’s body.

  When we got to the restaurant, it was late.

  We were sitting at a small round table with eight people. They were already eating.

  A short man asked us: «You must be the Campbells, right?»

  Sam shook his head.

  «My wife, Rose, and I were wondering where you were. You know, maybe Mrs Campbell got sick because of the sea waves...»

  Rose was a small woman. She was wearing a nice but awkward dress.

  «My wife was sick, yes. But now she’s feeling much better, thank you».

  Sam had replied in a very polite voice.

  I was pale, actually. But no, I wasn’t feeling sick at all.

  «My name’s Jack Hill. That’s Rose. We’re from California. I’m in the horse business».

  We both shook our heads.

  «We’re Pierre and Nicole Dupont. These are Caroline, Blanche and Alan. We own a company in North America. We sell wood and wooden items».

  He spoke English with a French accent. It must have been because of his birthplace. North America was a bilingual country. He was elegantly dressed; he was thin and quite tall. His wife was quite sweet and silent. She had a lovely dress. Their white hair made me think they both must have been over fifty.

  Their sons must have been somewhere between fifteen and twenty. I was eighteen. I was already married, I had a lover and I was willing to have sex with him. The thought stuck me. I suddenly thought of Alex and shivered.

  «Are you okay, Madame?»

  «I am, thank you.»

  Sam was caressing my bare leg. He had found a way to do so without anyone noticing.

  «We’re Oscar and Mary Kilkanny, we’re from Cork, Ireland. We own a fishing company. The fish is really good in North America and the new upper-class is crazy about it. Americans seem to like fish very much.»

  His wife looked at me hastly. Was she jealous? Then she looked at Sam and calmed down. My husband was much more charming than his. But I sensed Oscar Kilkanny was the kind of man who was always up to something. He must have been a most unfaithful man.

  «I must say something...», Oscar Kilkanny said. «Your wife is a very beatiful woman. She must have excellent breasts. I wouldn’t waste my time having dinner, if I were married with her».

  Sam nearly choked.

  «Yes, she is very beautiful. I’ll keep that in mind».

  Oscar started laughing while his wife turned pink.

  Dinner was unpleasant. When it was over, Oscar asked Sam to have a cigar. I didn’t want him to, neither did Sam himself. Oscar insisted.

  «Come on, boy. She won’t be flirting with anyone else, in the meanwhile. I’ll be with you, right?» And he laughed. That was really embarrassing.

  Sam looked at me, but Oscar was quick: he grabbed Sam’s arm and took him away.

  «You’ll have sex with her later».

  I was alone with the ladies. Mary spoke.

  «Are you sure you’re seasick? I mean... if I were in the ocean with your husband, I’d surely know what to do. I wouldn’t be seasick... at all».

  I was drinking and choked at once. What a woman!

  By the time Sam was back, I had turned red. We were both tired and went to our room.

  When he shut the door, Sam stood against the wall for a few seconds. Then he hugged me and kissed me. He reaised my skirt as I undid his trousers. We had sex against the wall, half-naked and half-dressed.

  «Is this because of Oscar?», I asked him while he kissed my neck.

  «No. I’ve been thinking about this since we went downstairs».

  He whispered to me.

  We undressed and went to the bed. We made love. I was happy and I knew he would always take care of me. London and Alex were just bad memories.

  He was kissing my breasts.

  «You know, Claire... Alex will search the world until he finds you. I’ll kill him, if he harms you».

  I stopped breathing. He kept kissing me. He kissed my body and he got to my legs. He entered me with his tongue. I laughed.

  «Oh, Sam... you’ll kill me».

  I laughed and laughed. Then I saw his eyes looking at me. They were so blue. He kissed my lips. And looked into my eyes.

  «Let’s make love, Sam».

  Few days later, we got an invitation. The captain asked us to take part to a music soirée. It was a good way to meet new people. I was willing to meet someone who could tell me about North America.

  I chose a nice outfit. It was a red dress that I had never had the chance to wear. It was quite simple, but it was brand new and classy. My hair was tied up in a chignon, my shoulders were naked and the skirt of the dress made me look taller and thinner. It was a bit flashy, yes, but I looked really good.

  I really wanted to meet new people because I was scared. I knew no one and needed to make friends. If I was to start a new life, I’d need people to support me. I was worried about the language as well. I had heard that in North America they spoke a Scottish slang.

  I knew I had made choices that would change my life forever. I knew there was no turning back and I also knew it was time for me to do something. I needed to feel actively part of our new life.

  «Do you think I loo
k pretty?», I asked.

  «You surely do.»

  «Do you really think so?»

  «You are incredibly beautiful. Words fail me.»

  We were late and as we entered the deck, people stared at us. We sat in the back. At the centre of the room, I saw a beautiful pianoforte. Black and shiny. A good-looking musician was playing. He was really good. He was elegantly dressed as well.

  When he stopped playing, he greeted everyone. He even came to me and bowed.

  «Madame, you are outstanding. Just like a ray of light in the shadows».

  I turned red and so did Sam. Everyone was looking at us.

  The pianist smiled at me as if he was alone with me. His eyes were green and his hair red.

  «Milord, I’m pleased to meet you», he said to Sam. «My name is Robert Turner».

  Sam shook his hand. «Sam Campbell.»

  «This lady is awesome, don’t you think? You surely have good taste.»

  «She’s my wife», he replied sharply. The pianist didn’t seem to notice. Then he looked Sam in the eyes.

  «You don’t seem to be flattered, Milord. Do you want me to tell you that you are very charming?»

  Sam was angry, I could see that. He looked at Robert and he opened his mouth. He was much taller than the pianist and he was really going to tell him to... well, you know. But Robert Turner was quick. He said: «I can’t stand the ones like you... I was hoping I had left all of them in London. Living in North America won’t be pleasant for you», and he left us.

  Jack came to us.

  «Good evening, Jack. Where’s the lovely Rose?»

  «Madame, that was Jackson Turner. He’s the second heir of a wealthy American family», he said to me.

  Sam put his arm around my waist.

  «I can see you’ve never heard of the Turners», Jack added. «You’ll get to know them. They own carbon mines and they build railways in Nova Scotia. I think this boat might be theirs, actually... Mr Campbell, hold on to your wife. Jackson Turner is not an especially good fellow. He’s always attracted by young women. So... I believe you must keep an eye on your wife. You know, women tend to like him. So...», and he laughed loudly.

  Sam held my hand as Jack Hill went away.

  «Do you fancy him, Claire?»

  «Of course I don’t! Sam... I love you».