by Hawke, Jessa
Duffy grabbed his jacket from the coat hanger. “We’ll soon find out. Let’s go...”
~
The air felt heavy and laced by the smell of burnt coal as Duffy hurried down a cobbled street flanked by huge warehouses. His heart pounded like a steam locomotive on the rails while his eyes darted from one shadow to the next. He glanced over his shoulder towards a tired Edward and Isabel who lagged behind. “Keep close, you two.”
At the dockside a sea of tall masts appeared like a moonlit forest. Suddenly a dull thunder of a foghorn crashed through the darkness of the night, causing Isabel to let out a screech. Duffy stopped and eyeballed Isabel. “Quiet, will ya. You don’t want the night watch to start asking awkward questions.”
“It’s too late. Someone is here.”
“What?” Duffy froze at the sound of heels on cobbles.
The tall shadow spoke with a French accent. “Good Evening, Duffy. You’re rather late for your Friday night session.”
“Manon... I had a feeling I’d bump into you here.”
“I have a fresh bottle of olive oil and an empty bed... shall we?
Duffy felt the rush of excitement flow through his veins. “Ohhh.... you’re the devil in person.” He then felt his neck while looking at his desperate friends. Reluctantly, he turned to face Manon. “Unfortunately, I’m busy with my friends.”
“They can join us.”
“Really?”
“As we say in France, two baguettes are better than one.”
Duffy turned towards Edward who didn’t seem impressed. He let out a sigh and returned his focus to Manon. “Sorry, Manon. But we must be going.”
“You only walk these streets when your drunk and desperate... have you found another woman?”
Duffy glanced over his shoulder while he walked his friends towards the ships. “Of course not. You’re the only home-wrecker a man needs.”
~
Duffy hid behind a parked cart, gesturing for Edward and Isabel to follow. He gazed through the darkness towards the giant ship which sat anchored to the dockside. “There she is, the Caledonian.”
“Right... but there’s a watchman on the gangway.”
“That’s where Isabel’s jewellery comes in.”
Isabelle didn’t think twice as she slipped off her engagement ring. “Take it.”
“Give me your necklace too. Just in case.”
“My father gave me this.”
The horizon was turning a dark purple as dawn approached. Duffy took off his flat cap, and then ran his hand through his dirty blond waves. “Look. There are two of you, that’s double the risk for him.”
“That’s a diamond ring; he’d have to work for ten years to pay for that.”
“Even if it is... you’re not in a position to bargain.”
“Duffy, come back if the ring isn’t enough.”
“Time is short; just give me the damn thing. I’ll keep it hidden in my pocket unless he drives a hard bargain.”
Isabel felt a cold shudder as she felt the necklace leave her skin. In fact, she felt naked as she handed it over to Duffy.
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
“I wish I could say it was a pleasure.”
Duffy slipped the necklace into his pocket and walked toward the gangplank. “Right, stay here until I wave you on.”
Edward watched from behind the cart as Duffy approached the watchman. Chewing his nails relentlessly, he felt the conversation between Duffy and the watchman lasted longer than it should.
Dawn approached as the first chatter of birds began a stir. Eventually Edward noticed the watchman leading Duffy to a gas lamp where they inspected the ring. He then smiled as Duffy gave the signal. Edward took Isabel’s hand and marched her toward the gangway.
Chapter 11
Deep inside the darkness of the ship’s hold, Edward sat with an empty crate. His tired eyes closed over as he felt himself begin to doze. Snuggled into his side, Isabel hid her face under the blanket which the watchman had provided them. Despite wanting to sleep, Isabel’s mind felt too restless to switch off. “Edward..? Edward!”
“Yes.”
“Why did you come to my aid yesterday?”
“I had no option.”
“But you’ve thrown away everything you have... for someone you don’t even know.”
“I didn’t have too much to lose. Don’t worry.”
“Even if you didn’t” Isabel felt herself welling up. “I’m still indebted to you. You’ve humbled me.”
“You’re not. Not until we’re free of this mess. Once we set foot on Canadian soil, then you can thank me. Until then, I fear all I’ve done is make a bad situation worse.”
“You saved me... even if the worst happens.” Isabel kissed his shoulder. “You put your life on the line to save mine.”
~
Isabel woke feeling uncomfortable. She tried to ignore the discomfort, but would not cease. “Edward?”
“Yes.”
“I need to...”
“Need to what.”
“Mother nature is knocking.”
Edward kept his eyes shut. “Ah. Well.... you’ll have to go behind one of the crates.”
“A woman needs her comforts.”
“We’re stowaways... we don’t have comforts. We’re not exactly travelling first class, are we?”
Isabel began to sweat. She groaned, “I might be a stowaway, Eddie... But I’m still a lady.”
“What do you want me to do? Take out a magic wand and wish you an outhouse? I’m not a magician.”
“Outhouse? I come from a house with six flushing toilets. She rolled her head against the steel hull. “Now I don’t even have a pot to...”
“A pot to piss in?”
“I would prefer that you wouldn’t use such language.”
“Sorry Ma’am.”
Isabel slowly climbed to her feet. She had to steady herself due to the roll of the ship on the open sea. “However, I am facing a crisis... and a pot would be much appreciated.”
“What type of crisis?”
“What type of question is that for a lady? It’s my business, and my business it shall remain.”
“I know...” Edward finally opened his eyes as he asked Isabel. “But is it liquid.”
“It’s not.”
“Christ. Just hang on, Lady.” Edward groaned under his blanket. “We’re stuck down here for almost a week. Can’t share this space with stowaways of a different nature. Just wait until it’s dark and we’ll sneak on deck.”
“It’s a crisis, Eddie. A crisis is a crisis for a reason. I’ve been putting it off for hours.”
“Bloody women.”
Isabel felt annoyed by Edward, and wondered when had her hero changed. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing.”
“It has nothing to do with being a woman... it’s simply nature.”
Edward threw back the blanket. “OK.” He then slowly rose to his feet. “I’ll see what I can find.”
~
Edward grumbled to himself as he walked amongst the neat lines of packed crates. Holding a stevedore’s crowbar which he took from a hook by an access door, he explored the crates. At random he chose a crate and forced off the lid using the crowbar. “Would you believe it... your prayers have be answered.”
“A shipment of lavatories?”
“No, but large biscuit tins.”
Isabel huffed. “How will eating help the situation?”
“You can use the empty tin.”
“Oh my God.”
Passing Isabel the tin, Edward shrugged his shoulders. “I’d rather you do that than dirty the floor.”
“Shut up.... I demand you take me in search of a lavatory.”
“Your pride will put us in danger.”
Isabel pleaded with tear filled eyes. “Please, please I’m desperate.”
~
Walking down narrow corridor lit by electric lights, Edward led Isabel by her hand in search for a lavatory. E
ach corridor appeared the same, and they soon became lost.
Finally, fortune appeared to smile as Edward spotted a small brass sign. “There you go. You can finally have you’re...” His heart then froze at the touch of a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Shit.”
Chapter 13
The rain appeared to fall in gray sheets while George traipsed the through the dockland streets. His tall hat shielded his face from the weather while his full length coat kept him dry to his knees. He climbed the steps then leaned against the door before knocking his fist against the damp wood. His drunken smile greeted Manon. “I heard you’re the best fuck in town.”
“I’m glad the word of mouth spreads quicker than my legs.”
George then pointed his gloved finger towards a gold necklace. “Where did you get the gold?”
“It was bought for me.”
“Nonsense.”
Manon felt intimidated and stepped backwards into the simple house. “It was.”
“Don’t lie to me. Who gave it to you?”
“Sir... I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
George grabbed Manon by her slender shoulders. “Start talking wench.” He held her against the wall. “I said talk.” With one hand around her neck, his free one held the necklace so he could inspect it. “Just as I thought.” He then ripped the necklace from Manon’s neck.
“I took it from a regular.”
“Who?”
“What does it matter to you?”
George’s anger was replaced by sadness. His hand eventually released Manon’s neck “It’s... it’s my fiancée’s necklace.”
“He is a married man.”
“Is his name, Edward?”
Manon felt her neck. “He tells me that his name is Duffy?”
“Tall, dark hair?”
“Blond waves. Smokes a pipe.”
“Blond waves..?”
“He did have two friends with him.”
“Of course!” George let out a laugh. “Take me to him”
Manon watched George march towards the door. “You will have to reward me first.”
“I have business to attend to. I’ll come back and saddle up once you take me to Duffy.”
~
Duffy operated the pulley system on the derrick crane, slowly lowering the crate into the ships hold while always noting the stevedore’s signals. A job he had done since leaving school, it was just a regular day. As the stevedore signalled the release of the crate, Duffy flinched as he heard the whisper of George’s voice.
“Frogs... never to be trusted, Duffy.”
“Who’s that?”
“You’ve been a naughty boy.”
“I don’t follow?”
George gave an unnerving smile. “Manon.”
“Oh...you know her?”
“She’s just an acquaintance... a friend of a friend.”
“Ah.” Duffy swallowed his fear. “I tell the wife the same thing.” He asked, “You look pissed off. What do you want?”
“Edward Picton. Where is the bastard?”
“I don’t know. Did he not come to work today?”
“Of course he didn’t.” George closed the door of cabin of the crane. “Stop acting daft.”
“I’m not.”
“Manon told me you two are as thick as thieves.”
Duffy’s felt his pulse rise. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not pulling your plonker, Boy. But I’ll cut it off. Now start talking?”
“I really don’t know where Edward is.”
George pulled the necklace out of his breast pocket. “Then explain to me where did you get this?”
“Never seen it before.”
“It belongs to my fiancée. Manon says she lifted it from you, last night. She also saw you with a man and a woman. So... which ship are Edward and Isabel on?”
“I wasn’t with them. I promise. I... I couldn’t sleep and went for a walk with my wife and son... he looks mature for his age. Manon was mistaken.”
“I don’t know why you’re defending a kidnapper. He has taken my fiancée. You’re putting our own life on the line for a criminal.”
“I’m not putting my life on the line for no one.”
“Yes you are.” George pulled out his pistol pushed the nozzle onto Duffy’s chest. “Tell me what you know... everything.”
“Christ.”
“1... 2...”
Duffy closed his eyes as he heard George remove the pistol’s safety catch. “They’re on the Caledonia. The necklace was a backup bribe which I forgot to return.”
“Cheating on your friends... not even the rats would eat your putrid corpse.”
~
Sat on a bench inside a bustling Canadian immigration office, Isabelle rested her head on Edwards shoulder. The large hall was filled with hundreds of exhausted people carrying their lives in tired cases and trunks. She felt drained and could only whisper, “What do you think will happen? Stowaways aren’t welcome.”
“I don’t know... but I fear they may send us back.”
“Promise that you’ll stay with me... whatever happens”
“Of course.” Edward stroked the dark waves on Isabel’s head. “I wouldn’t have come this far just to suddenly leave you.” His eyes were then drawn to a tall uniformed man who had approached him with several other officers.”
“Please follow me, Sir.”
Isabel clung onto Edward’s arm and glared at the officer. “My lover goes nowhere without me.”
“Immigrants are interviewed separately.”
“Why?”
”It’s the way we do things here. Now, we can cause a scene or we can do things in a civilized way.”
“I’m not letting him go without me.”
Edward noticed the lack of sympathy on the officer’s face. He then turned to face Isabel. “Don’t worry, Isabel. I’ll be fine.”
“No. What if they lead you away... how will I find you?”
“I will be OK.”
“Edward?”
Edward pulled himself free of Isabel. “Please. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“I won’t rest until you return.”
“Neither will I.”
Isabel began to weep as Edward was led away. The pain of being forced apart from Edward in an alien environment proved overpowering as she broke into tears. A female officer remained at her side then asked, “Madame, please follow me.”
“Why?”
“There is someone who I think will be excited to see you.”
Isabel felt a deep fear inside. “Who?”
~
Edward walked into the small interview room. The blinds were drawn and the room was lit by daylight from a small desk lamp.
“Sit.”
“I’d rather stand, thank you.”
Two burly officers stood behind Edward then forced Edward by his shoulder’s to sit.
“Edward Picton, I’m arresting you on the suspicion of kidnap and attempted entry to Canada under false alias.”
“I...” Edward arms were forced behind his back as he was put in handcuffs. Suddenly the door opened and in stepped a familiar face which filled Edward with dread. “George?”
“Fine job gentleman. Can you leave us alone for a few moments? Edward and I need to be reacquainted.”
Edward watched in horror as he was left in the room alone with George. “How did you get here before us?”
“First class tickets on an ocean liner... beats the pants off the tramp steamer you sailed in on. I’m sure my voyage was a little more comfortable that yours.”
“It wasn’t exactly luxury... but, as they say, it’s the company that counts.”
“You’ve caused me lots of sleepless nights, Edward.”
“Not got a lot of sleep myself.”
George stood opposite, and then peered down at Edward. “What possessed you to think that you can steal Isabel from me?”
“I did not steal her.”
>
“Yes you did.”
“I did not! You lost her. She came with me willingly.
“She did not!” George slapped Edward across his face with the back of his hands. “Why would Isabel want a mere commoner like you, when she could have a gentleman of wealth, status and power?”
“She wanted love.”
“Love..?” George laughed dismissively, and then struck him a second time across the face for a second time. “Love..?”
“Ask her yourself, she’ll tell you?”
“I don’t know how, but you’ve corrupted her. Isabel loved me.”
Edward felt blood trickling from his nose. “You didn’t treat her right.”
“I treated her no different than how a woman should be treated. I asked for nothing more than what she ought to give me.”
“I did not imagine what happened in carriage. I saw with my own eyes.”
“The only thing that was wrong was you.” George clenched his fist then hit Edward across the face with so much force that he fell from the chair onto the stone floor. “All you are is a bloody peeping Tom.”
“Hitting me will solve nothing. Killing me won’t either. Do you think she’ll come back to you after all this?”
“Probably not. But as long as you don’t have her...I’ll live the rest of my life in peace.”
“You’ll never find peace.”
George kicked Edward, who yelped before curling into a protective ball as if he was a threatened hedgehog. “Look at you... just look at you. I’m going to leave you so disfigured not even your mother will recognise you.”
“She’s in heaven.”
“Good... that’s where I’m sending you.”
“Guards!”
“They’re in my pocket... or rather, Albert’s. “
“If you’re such an honourable gentleman... then how could you kill a man in cuffs? At least give me a fighting chance.”
“There’s nothing honourable about me.”
~
Albert stepped into the small interview where the sight of his daughter brought a sense of relief and a huge smile to his face. “Isabel... Oh Isabel. I’ve been so worried.”
“Not as worried as I am now.”
“What do you mean? You’re ordeal is over.” Albert tightly embraced Isabel but felt little in return from his daughter. “Daddy has come to rescue.”
“Rescue from what?”
“From...”
“From a dream..?” Isabel stepped from the embrace then frowned at Albert. “From the arms of a good man..? From true love?” She scowled at him through fiery eyes. “Which one is it, Father?”
