The Harbour Girl

by Val Wood

  A maid held open the front door as they entered the wide hall. Rosie took off her coat and handed it to her, but Jeannie shyly shook her head when asked if she’d like to leave her shawl. She didn’t want the maid or Rosie’s aunt to see her worn blouse beneath it.

  Dorothy Greenwood, plump and dark-haired, was dressed neatly and simply in a dark skirt and a crisp white blouse with leg o’ mutton sleeves. She received Jeannie warmly. ‘Call me Auntie Dot,’ she said. ‘We’re practically related, aren’t we, seeing as you’re married to my nephew? Although, as I understand it’ – she waved Jeannie to a comfy chair – ‘he’s being rather a naughty boy. And as for that minx Connie! Oh yes,’ she said, seeing the disquiet on Jeannie’s face. ‘I don’t miss much and I don’t need Rosie to tell me any gossip. I’m out on ’road most days and I hear what’s going on. And I must say that my opinion of Connie is ’only thing that my ma and me ever agreed on.

  ‘Course,’ she went on, sitting in a chair across from Jeannie next to a blazing fire, ‘in a way, ’poor lass never stood a chance wi’ a mother like she’s got, but that’s no excuse for pinching somebody else’s husband.’ She pressed a bell on the wall. ‘We’ll have a cup o’ coffee. And cake?’ She leaned forward to Jack, who was sitting on Jeannie’s knee staring at her. ‘I bet you’d like cake, wouldn’t you? Can he eat cake?’ she asked Jeannie.

  ‘I’ve never given it to him,’ Jeannie confessed, thinking how nice it would be to be able to afford cake. ‘But I expect he can, as long as he doesn’t choke.’

  ‘Bread and jam then,’ Dot suggested. ‘That might be safer; we don’t want ’little mite choking. Are you coming to Auntie Dot?’ She put out her arms to Jack, who to Jeannie’s astonishment slid down from her knee and staggered towards her. Dot picked him up and jiggled him on her wide lap and allowed him to play with the string of beads round her neck.

  ‘Never wanted any bairns of our own,’ she said cheerfully. ‘And fortunately they never happened, but I quite like other people’s as long as I can hand them back if they become unsavoury or troublesome.’ She patted Jack’s cheek. ‘I could tek to you, though,’ she said softly. ‘And you look just like your da did when he was your age.’

  Jeannie felt her eyes fill with tears. He might look like Harry, but she hoped with all her heart he wouldn’t grow up to be weak and unreliable like him.

  ‘Go find Minnie, Rosie,’ Dot said. ‘Tell her to hurry up wi’ coffee. It’s going to be dinner time by ’time she brings it. And bring bread and jam and some milk for ’bairn!’

  Rosie got up and went to the door. She raised her eyebrows at Jeannie, who smiled back, both knowing that Dot hadn’t yet asked for the coffee but only rung the bell.

  ‘Now then,’ Dot said to Jeannie when they were alone. ‘How are you managing, or mebbe you’re not but onny just surviving?’ She tilted her head to one side and surveyed Jeannie. ‘I don’t want to pry, but you’re family and if I can help I will. Rosie told me that Harry didn’t leave you much money before he went back to sea. She also told me about you losing ’bairn you were carrying.’

  ‘Yes,’ Jeannie said. ‘Both those things are true. And you’re very kind to offer help, but I have to manage as best I can. Harry will be home again soon; I shall talk to him then and explain that until I can find work on the nets he’ll have to support me and Jack.’

  ‘Well, you can explain all you like,’ Dot said, playing pat-a-cake with Jack, ‘but it doesn’t alter ’fact that no matter how sorry he is or how many promises he makes, he’ll still let you down.’

  ‘How do you know?’ Jeannie whispered, not wanting to believe it. ‘He might change.’

  ‘He won’t,’ Dot said matter-of-factly. ‘He’s just like my brother – his da. He was full of promises that he never kept. But I’m not going to press you. Come to me if and when you need to. I’ll be here.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Jeannie said, just as they heard the peal of the doorbell.

  ‘That’ll be Sam – forgotten his keys again,’ Dot commented. ‘He allus seems to know when ’kettle’s on. No, don’t get up,’ for Jeannie had started to rise from the chair. ‘I want you to stop for a bit; you’re not in a hurry, are you? Besides,’ she went on, ‘he’ll not stop long. He’s supposed to be meeting somebody today. A bit o’ business, you know; he can’t seem to give it up,’ she added indulgently.

  A large man came through the door and started when he saw Jeannie. ‘Sorry,’ he said in a booming voice which started Jack crying and holding out his arms to Jeannie. ‘Sorry,’ he said again. ‘I didn’t know we’d company.’

  ‘We haven’t,’ his wife said. ‘She’s family. This is Harry’s wife.’

  ‘How do?’ he said. ‘Samuel Greenwood. Call me Sam. Hope you don’t mind, Dot, but I’ve brought somebody back wi’ me. We’ve a bit o’ business to discuss. We’ll go in my office.’

  ‘Bring ’em in first,’ Dot commanded, handing Jack over to Jeannie. ‘We’re allus glad to meet folks.’

  ‘Well, you know Mike Gardiner,’ he said. ‘And this young fellow-me-lad’s come wi’ him. Come in. Come in,’ he said to someone in the hall. ‘Here’s the wife,’ he added as Mike came into the room, ‘and this bonny lass here is …’

  ‘How do, Dot.’ Mike grinned. ‘And I know who this is. Hello, Jeannie. Are you all right?’

  ‘And this young chap is from Scarborough, so you might know him.’ He turned to the door and Jeannie’s eyes followed him. ‘Ethan Wharton,’ he said. ‘We’re hoping to go into ’trawling business together.’

  CHAPTER FORTY

  THEY WERE BOTH lost for words. Jeannie searched for a greeting but could find none, whilst Ethan stood as if struck dumb.

  ‘Have you met, then? Or not?’ Mike asked in a puzzled voice. ‘Scarborough’s not that big a place.’

  Ethan cleared his throat. ‘Yes – yes, we have. It’s, erm, nice to see you again, Jeannie.’

  Jeannie managed a smile. ‘Yes, you too. It’s been a while. How – how’s everybody?’

  Ethan nodded, his eyes on her face, and it seemed to Jeannie that the two of them were displaced, trapped in an uninhabited void, whilst around them Mike, Dot and Sam were speaking words without sound or form.

  She blinked. ‘Did you go to Tom’s wedding?’ she asked huskily. ‘I couldn’t – I couldn’t go. The journey, you know, with Jack. Too difficult.’

  Ethan looked down at Jack as if seeing him for the first time. ‘He’s a fine boy.’ He smiled down at the child. ‘Looks like you. I was Tom’s best man. It was a great day – almost.’

  ‘Almost?’ she faltered.

  He nodded again. ‘You weren’t there,’ he said softly. ‘Your ma missed you.’

  Jeannie’s mouth trembled. ‘It’s been difficult,’ she whispered. ‘I …’

  ‘Right then,’ Sam Greenwood boomed. ‘Let’s leave ’ladies to their gossip and we’ll go in my room and have a chat about business.’

  He ushered the men out and Minnie carried a tray into the room.

  ‘Will you stay for dinner?’ Dot asked Jeannie as she poured the coffee. ‘There’s plenty – you needn’t be bothered that there won’t be enough to go round. We allus eat well. Sam’s got a good appetite. We’re having roast beef today.’

  Jeannie licked her lips, salivating at the thought of roast beef. ‘If you’re sure it’s no bother,’ she said, putting Jack down on the floor to eat the bread and jam Rosie had brought for him.

  ‘No bother at all.’ Dot passed her a cup. ‘Rosie, go and ask Mike and that young chap if they’d like to stop for dinner and if they say yes, go and tell Minnie.’

  Rosie took a sip of her coffee before putting down her cup and going off to do her aunt’s bidding.

  ‘You knew that young fellow, didn’t you?’ Dot asked. ‘What was he? A sweetheart?’

  ‘We lived nearby,’ Jeannie prevaricated. ‘All the fisher families know each other, just like here.’

  ‘Ah, I see. I thought he seemed a bit sweet on you, that’s
all.’

  ‘Oh, no.’ Jeannie forced a laugh. ‘Nothing like that. He’s courting a girl, I think. A chandler’s daughter.’

  ‘Really? Well, there’s some money there, and I should know.’

  ‘Ethan wouldn’t be bothered about that. He works very hard,’ Jeannie said quietly. ‘He’s been a fisherman since he was twelve. He worked on his father’s smack.’

  ‘Mm.’ Dot sipped her coffee. ‘And now he wants to go into trawling?’

  ‘I don’t know. He’s ambitious. He had his own smack and fishing is all he knows, so he’ll be willing to try anything to make a living – I should think,’ she finished lamely, thinking that she had said more than she should about a mere neighbour.

  Auntie Dot looked at her over the top of her cup. ‘Yes, I dare say he would. He looks ’positive type of man. Sam’ll like him, I’d say, and especially if Mike recommends him.’

  ‘I didn’t know Mike knew him.’ Jeannie shook her head. ‘It’s such a coincidence, isn’t it?’

  ‘Aye, it is.’ Dot raised her brows. ‘Funny old life, isn’t it?’

  Ethan couldn’t stay for the midday meal. There was a crewman waiting on the smack and he told Rosie they wanted to catch the afternoon tide to get back to Scarborough. Mike also declined, as he’d been invited to his son’s house for Sunday dinner. But Ethan came back into the sitting room to say goodbye.

  ‘Is there any message to carry home?’ he asked Jeannie. ‘To – your ma?’

  Jeannie’s eyes prickled. ‘Yes, please, and to Tom and Sarah. Tell Ma – tell them – that I miss them all.’

  ‘And that you’re well and happy?’ His voice dropped. ‘Are you happy, Jeannie?’

  Jeannie pressed her lips together. What should she say? ‘I’ve been unhappy,’ she whispered, conscious of other people in the room, Mike chatting to Dot, Rosie gazing into the fire. ‘I’ve been ill. I’ve just lost a bairn – but I’m all right now,’ she added quickly, seeing his face tense. ‘The people round here are very supportive. They help one another. Tell Ma everything’s fine.’

  ‘Goodbye, then.’ He took her hand and she felt the warmth, the strength, the comfort of it.

  ‘Maybe we’ll bump into each other again,’ she murmured. ‘If things go to plan?’

  ‘Mebbe,’ he said, his expression set. ‘Mebbe not.’

  She released her hand from his. ‘No, perhaps not.’

  Ethan strode with his long stride alongside Mike down the Boulevard and towards Hessle Road. ‘Nice area,’ he commented. ‘Is this where folk come when they’ve done well?’

  ‘Aye,’ Mike said. ‘When they’ve made their pile. Greenwood’s done well. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. Did you tek to him? It’s important if we’re to work together.’

  ‘Well, the way I see it, he’ll look after the money side, Len – who you’ll meet when we get to the harbour – and I will organize a crew and the fishing, and you’ll look after everything in between. I gather you won’t want to come out on a trip?’

  ‘No, I’ve done wi’ all that,’ Mike said. ‘I’ve had enough of stormy voyages, being cold and wet through. It’s a young man’s game and I like my own bed of a night.’

  Ethan nodded. ‘My father said the same, although I think he might come on the first trip. Greenwood will do everything right, won’t he?’ he asked anxiously. ‘Insurance and so on?’

  ‘Oh aye, you can count on it,’ Mike said. ‘He’s very canny and won’t want to risk his money. He’ll want to tek a look at ’ship, too, even though he knows little about sailing in ’em.’

  They crossed the Hessle Road and continued on towards St Andrew’s Dock.

  ‘How long do you think before he’ll make up his mind?’

  ‘Oh I reckon he’s already made it up,’ Mike said cheerfully. ‘Tomorrow mornin’ he’ll be talking to his lawyer, then in ’afternoon to his bank. I think within a fortnight we’ll strike a deal and be able to tell ’shipwright to start mekkin’ modifications.’

  Ethan eased out a breath and grinned. ‘I can’t wait to get home to tell my da. He’ll be pleased as punch.’

  ‘Will you mek your base here? It’d mek sense.’

  ‘Yes, I’ll have to. I’ll look for lodgings once everything’s agreed.’

  ‘You can stop wi’ me if you’ve a mind to. I’ve plenty o’ room in my house. There’s onny me, so you can come and go as you want. Just till you’re established, you know. No commitment.’

  ‘That would be grand. Thanks.’ Ethan nodded. He liked Mike and thought they’d get on well together. ‘I’ll probably be bringing my brother Stephen, if Da agrees; would that be all right?’

  ‘Fine. Like I say I’ve plenty of room. You’d need to do your own cookin’ when you’re ashore, though. I’m no great shakes at that.’ Mike grinned. ‘I get meat ’n’ tatie pies brought in from time to time, from womenfolk, you know, who want to get on ’best side of me.’ His grin became wider. ‘I expect there’ll be even more when you move in and they find you’re single! Mebbe you’ll have to put it about that you’ve got a lass waitin’ in Scarborough.’

  Ethan laughed, rather cynically Mike thought. ‘Mebbe I will, except that I haven’t. Not any more.’

  It was dark and wet when Ethan and Len sailed into Scarborough harbour and headed towards the West Pier. Len was inclined to be taciturn, and although Ethan had wanted him in on the meeting with Greenwood he’d declined, telling Ethan he trusted him to do what was best as he’d no head for figures.

  The sea had had a rolling heavy swell; they’d heard the odd crack of thunder and a strong wind had whistled through the canvas and the rigging, but Ethan knew his ship and Len had no fear of what he called a pocket of wind and they came into harbour without difficulty. They secured the smack and climbed the iron steps on to the quay side. A figure detached itself from a small group of men and came towards them.

  ‘Now then, lad,’ Josh said. ‘Everything all right?’

  ‘Yes. What’s going on?’ Ethan looked towards the gathering; there was something about their stance, the way they shuffled their feet, the manner in which they rubbed their noses and pulled their collars up around their ears as if they had been standing in the cold too long, that alerted him that something was not quite right.

  His father looked out beyond the harbour. ‘The Sweet Flower is late. She should have been in two or three hours ago. What’s it like out there?’

  ‘Calm enough,’ Ethan said. ‘But there’s a heavy undertow. Who’s on it?’

  ‘Clarkson brothers and two others. They know what they’re doing.’

  ‘She’s a refitted smack,’ Len put in. ‘They’ve only got ten horsepower. Mebbe it’s broken down and they’re having to sail back.’

  ‘That’s what I said,’ Josh agreed. ‘Or mebbe they’ve gone too far; or mebbe they’ve found a good shoal.’ He pulled his woollen hat over his ears. ‘Who knows?’

  ‘We’ll know the worst by the morning,’ Ethan said. ‘Let’s hope there’s good news before then.’

  Whenever a ship was missing or late, it brought back a small stab of fear as he recalled the loss of his brother all those years ago. But it didn’t deter him from depending on the sea for his livelihood. Rather, it made him more careful, more aware of what could happen out on the watery wastes. His feeling was that if he were to die young, it would be the sea that took him and not any accident or illness on land.

  Len left them and joined the waiting group of men.

  ‘How did you get on?’ Josh asked Ethan. ‘Are we on?’

  ‘I think so. It’s looking good. I met Greenwood, who’ll be putting up the bulk of the money. He seems very keen and Mike Gardiner seems to think we’ll know for sure in a couple of weeks.’

  ‘Good,’ his father said. ‘It’s just what we need. We can’t go on as we are or we’ll be bankrupt like so many others.’

  ‘Will you want to come on the first trip?’ Ethan asked. ‘And what about Stephen?’

  ‘Not Stephen
,’ Josh said emphatically. ‘He’s too young, even though he’s keen.’ He drew back his shoulders and put his head up. ‘But yes, I’ll come. I’d like to try my hand at trawling even though I said I was against it. But I seem to be in the minority and I’ve decided that I’m not ready for retirement. I’m not that old and I’ve no wife at home waiting for me.’

  Ethan glanced at his father; was there a tinge of regret in his voice? ‘What about Stephen? Will he go to Susan?’

  There was a slight hesitation before Josh said, ‘Yes, course he will. She’s practically brought him up, hasn’t she? I want him to go to school in any case.’

  Ethan murmured agreement. ‘I saw Jeannie when I was in Hull,’ he said.

  ‘Ah! How was she? Mary will be glad to know.’

  Ethan hunched into his coat and said, ‘She looked ill, if I’m honest. She has a young bairn – a son – and she told me she’s just lost a child. I don’t know if her mother knows or if I should tell her.’

  ‘Tell her you’ve seen her,’ Josh advised, ‘but don’t say she looks ill or Mary will worry. If Jeannie’s just lost a bairn she’s bound to be out of sorts, but she’ll soon pick up. She’s a strong healthy lass.’

  I don’t think she is, Ethan thought as they strode the last few yards towards home. I don’t think she’s strong at all; she’s lost weight, she’s thin and the colour’s gone from her cheeks and I hate to see her looking so sad and unhappy. Something’s wrong!

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  THE WORD THAT a Scarborough smack was missing filtered through to Hull. Jeannie heard it as she waited in line at the greengrocer’s two days after she had seen Ethan. She felt sick and faint and almost staggered.

  ‘You all right, missis?’ A woman next to her took hold of her arm. ‘Shall I tek ’babby?’