A New Day

by Beryl Matthews

  Bill nodded and took a firm grip of Jack’s arm. ‘You’ll soon find out where everything is. Let’s get some food.’

  The mess was nearly empty when they arrived. There were only two men sitting at the table clutching mugs of steaming tea and looking very sorry for themselves.

  ‘I hope you two want something to eat,’ Frank, the cook, said.

  ‘What you got?’ Bill asked, sitting Jack on a seat. ‘Stay there, lad, I’ll get your food.’

  ‘You’ve got pie and mash,’ Frank told them. ‘And you’re lucky to get that in this weather.’

  ‘Lovely.’ Jack rubbed his hands together in anticipation. ‘I’m starving.’

  The two sailors already at the table looked at him in disbelief, and one groaned before saying, ‘Not another one with a cast-iron stomach?’

  Bill put a plate of food in front of Jack. ‘Hold on to that or it’ll end up in your lap.’

  ‘Thanks, I’m ravenous. Must be the sea air.’

  Frank burst into laughter. ‘I knew he was a born sailor the moment I set eyes on him.’

  The other two men dragged themselves to their feet and staggered out of the mess. Then Frank joined them at the table with his own plate of food.

  ‘Smashing pie,’ Jack said, tackling his food with gusto.

  ‘You can have as much as you like. I’m not going to get many customers tonight.’

  ‘Why?’ Jack asked. ‘This pie is the best I’ve ever tasted.’

  ‘Quite a few of them won’t start eating until we’re through the Bay of Biscay, then they won’t feel sick any more.’

  ‘I didn’t think sailors got sick.’

  Bill chuckled. ‘Some throw up every time they set sail, and bad weather lays out a few more. Admiral Nelson suffered with sea sickness all the time.’

  ‘Did he? Gosh, I didn’t know that.’

  ‘Looks as if you’re going to be like the two of us. The motion of the ship never bothers us.’ Frank picked up Jack’s empty plate. ‘Manage another helping?’

  ‘Yes, please, Frank. I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast, and that was a long time ago.’

  ‘I’ll have some too.’ Bill held out his plate. ‘Shame to let it go to waste. How’s the tea pot?’

  ‘Been standing around a bit, so I’ll make us a fresh pot.’

  ‘What made you join the merchant navy?’ Bill asked, while they waited for their second helpings.

  ‘I’ve always watched the ships and wanted to sail in them.’

  ‘Your sister’s a pretty girl. Has she got a boyfriend?’ Frank asked as he served them the food and tea.

  ‘No.’ Jack shook his head. ‘She’s never had time to enjoy herself. We were sent to the orphanage when I was five, and she looked after me, refusing to let us be separated.’

  ‘She sounds like a good person.’

  ‘Oh, she is, Bill. I don’t know what would have happened to me if she hadn’t protected me. Now I’m going to be a sailor she can think of herself for a change. She’s got a nice job to go to today. This is a new day for both of us.’

  ‘You’re glad to be getting away from the orphanage, then?’

  ‘Very!’ Jack finished his tea and waited while Frank refilled his mug. ‘Er . . . I know we’re heading for New Zealand and this is going to be a long voyage, but do you know the other places we’ll be going to? I didn’t ask when I signed on.’

  Bill gave him a studied look. ‘You were that desperate to get away from whoever was beating you? The bruises still show.’

  Grimacing, Jack merely nodded.

  Not probing any further, Bill changed the subject. ‘We’ll be going through the Suez Canal, on to India, Ceylon and Singapore.’

  Jack gasped. ‘I’ve only ever seen those places on a map. Have you been to New Zealand before?’

  ‘We’ve been there a few times, and it’s a beautiful country. We usually have a couple of days’ leave when we arrive, so we’ll show you around.’

  ‘Will you?’ Jack couldn’t hide his excitement. ‘I’ve never been outside of London before. I must write to Hanna. Is there some way to send letters back home?’

  ‘We’ll be able to collect our post from the Port Agent when we stop, and we can post letters then.’ Bill stood up. ‘I’m on watch in twenty minutes, and you must get some sleep, lad. It will be a busy day tomorrow. Come on, I’ll see you safely to your bunk.’

  Jack stood up with the help of the experienced sailor, still holding on to the table that was screwed to the floor. At that moment the ship dipped and then rolled from side to side, and if it hadn’t been for the two sailors he would have been the other side of the mess on his backside again.

  ‘Don’t fight the motion of the ship,’ Bill advised. ‘Widen your stance and go with the roll.’

  Concentrating hard, Jack let go of the table and took a couple of cautious steps. He grinned for a moment and then yelped as the ship gave a huge lurch, and Bill stopped him again from crashing into the bulkhead. Laughing, he straightened up and insisted on trying to stand on his own. He planted his feet wide apart as Bill had told him, and managed to stand unaided, albeit with difficulty.

  Nodding his approval, Bill slapped him on the back. ‘We’ll make a sailor of you in no time at all, lad. Come on, time you had some sleep.’

  It was only when Jack climbed into his bunk that he realized just how tired he was. The day had been long, but very exciting, and the men were friendly. There appeared to be a comradeship between them, and he had been quickly included. Bill was a leading seaman with twenty years’ service, and Jack knew he couldn’t ask for a better man to give him advice. There was so much to learn, and he couldn’t wait to tell Hanna all about it, but writing a letter tonight was out of the question. The ship was pitching and rolling too much. He’d start a letter as soon as he could and have it ready to post at the first port of call.

  ‘Hope your day has been as good as mine, Hanna,’ he murmured, before falling into a deep sleep.

  ‘Jack! Wake up, lad.’

  ‘What?’ He shot up, banging his head on the bunk above him, wondering where the devil he was for a moment. ‘Ouch!’

  The small space was full of sailors preparing for the day ahead, and as he slid out of the bunk he was slightly disorientated after sleeping heavily. ‘What time is it, Bill?’

  ‘Five. Get dressed quickly. We’ll have breakfast and then I’ll take you to the officer on watch. He’ll tell you what your assignments are for the day.’

  ‘Right.’ Jack reached for his clothes, and then stopped suddenly, a wide grin spreading across his face. ‘Hey, I can stand up!’

  Bill laughed. ‘The storm has blown itself out. Move it, lad, or you won’t have time to eat. You must never be late for duty.’

  After a quick slosh with water, Jack was ready in ten minutes. Thank goodness he didn’t have to shave yet. If Bill noticed his lack of morning whiskers he didn’t say anything, but he was certain the sailor knew he was under age. That was probably why he had taken him under his wing straight away, and for that he was very grateful.

  No more than half an hour later he had received his duties for the day. The ship was huge, but everyone was very friendly and helpful as he tried to negotiate himself from one job to another. Every part of the ship he was sent to he bombarded the men with questions. The knowledge he gained was meticulously recorded in a notebook he had in his pocket. He was determined to be a good sailor.

  It was late afternoon before he had a moment to himself, and after grabbing a cup of tea he headed for the deck. The sea was calm now and he leant on the rail, gazing at the huge expanse of water.

  ‘Like what you see?’ Bill joined him.

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he sighed. ‘Look at the sun glistening on the water. I always thought the sea was either blue or grey, but it isn’t, is it? There are so many colours. It’s breathtaking.’

  ‘I never get tired of looking at it. Not only does it have many colours, but also many moods. Sometimes, like now, it
’s gentle, other times it’s boisterous, and sometimes violent and cruel. The sea is ever changing, Jack. Love it, respect it, but never trust it. Have you finished your tasks?’

  ‘Yes, I’m free now until tomorrow morning. I haven’t actually done much today, I’ve just been told to watch and learn, but I hope they let me start working soon.’

  ‘You’ll be doing jobs on your own from tomorrow, I’ve no doubt. I’m free for the rest of the day, so let’s get some food.’ He glanced at Jack’s too-thin body. ‘We need to get you fattened up a bit. You look as if you haven’t had a decent meal for ages.’

  Jack grimaced. ‘That brute ran me ragged, and he wasn’t very generous when it came to feeding me.’

  Bill’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘We’ll soon put that right.’

  The scene in the galley was very different from the previous night. It was crowded. Men were eating, talking, and there was a serious game of cards going on. Bill and Jack squeezed in at the end of the long table.

  ‘Hey, lad, want to join us?’ one of the card players asked.

  ‘No, thanks. I don’t know how.’ He looked at the pile of coins on the table and shook his head. ‘I haven’t got enough money anyway.’

  ‘We’ll show you, and we’ll take markers until you get paid.’

  ‘No, I don’t gamble.’

  ‘That’s sensible.’ Bill gave the men a stern glance. ‘This boy’s got more sense than to let you take his money.’

  ‘He might win. Beginners are often lucky.’

  Bill gave a dry laugh. ‘Not against you lot they’re not. Biggest load of cheats I’ve come across in twenty years at sea.’

  Jack grinned at the roars of protest and good-humoured banter. Everyone was laughing by the time Jack and Bill had plates of sausage and mash in front of them.

  ‘Don’t let them entice you into playing cards with them,’ Bill warned.

  ‘No fear. I’m going to save my money for my sister. She’s going to make sure we have a place of our own.’ A wistful look crossed his face. ‘I was only a nipper when we were sent to the orphanage, and I don’t remember what it was like to have a proper home. Hanna told me to enjoy the voyage and spend my money, but I’m going to save some because I’m not going to let her do this on her own. I’m older now and it’s time she had some help.’

  ‘In that case you’ve got something worth saving for.’

  ‘Oh, yes. It’s our dream and we’ll make it come true. I must start my letter to her tonight. I’ve got so much to tell her.’ He frowned and sighed. ‘I feel guilty about being so happy. I hope she’s all right.’

  ‘I’m sure she will be. She sounds a sensible girl.’

  ‘Of course she will, but I can’t help worrying.’ Jack cleared his plate and pulled a face. ‘Silly of me. We’re both away from the orphanage now, and that’s what we always wanted. If the job she’s got doesn’t work out she’ll get something else. My Hanna’s strong and determined.’

  ‘I’d like to meet her one day.’ Bill slapped Jack on the back, and called to Frank, ‘What’s for pudding?’

  ‘Spotted dick with syrup.’

  ‘Oh, smashing.’ The smile was back on Jack’s face.

  Four

  Movement on her bed woke Hanna up, and in the gloom she saw a small boy sitting beside her. ‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, pulling herself upright.

  ‘I’m hungry. Is it breakfast time yet?’

  After switching on the bedside lamp, she looked at the clock and shook her head. ‘It’s only four o’clock. Would you like me to go and get you a glass of milk?’

  ‘No.’ He wriggled until he was sitting comfortably beside her, then he gave her an engaging grin. ‘Will you tell me a story?’

  There was a patter of little feet as the other twin came into her room, climbed on to the bed and settled the other side of her, then leaned across to his brother. ‘What are you doing here? We told Hanna we were good at night.’

  ‘It isn’t night! It’s nearly morning. Look.’ He pointed to the clock on the bedside table. ‘It’s four!’

  ‘You can’t tell the time.’

  ‘Yes I can. See the big hand is there and the little hand down there. That means it’s four o’clock!’

  Hanna watched in amusement as the twins argued about how to tell the time, and decided that was something she would start to teach them. One child was holding the small clock, and the other stretched across her legs to get a good look. Their mother had said that the twins were very different in nature, and she was beginning to see that for the first time. She decided to put it to the test.

  ‘Put the clock down, David, and I’ll tell you a short story. But then you must go back to bed.’

  Two pairs of eyes fixed on her, and she knew from their expressions that she had been right.

  David put the clock back and said, ‘I’m Andrew.’

  ‘No, you’re David.’

  Andrew giggled and pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘Aha, that’s my secret.’ She reached out for the book on her bedside table, and knew that she was going to have to gain their trust and affection quite quickly, or these two little imps were going to have her running around in circles. They were very bright, and more than that, it was clear that this little episode in the early morning was a way of testing her. They were trying to find out just what they would be able to get away with. Well, they would soon find out that their innocent looks didn’t fool her one bit.

  ‘Told you she was smart,’ Andrew said, sitting back and looking at her expectantly, waiting for the promised story.

  Later that day, when the boys were tucked up for their afternoon nap, Mrs Harcourt sent for Hanna.

  She knocked on the sitting-room door and walked in, a smile on her face. The smile vanished in an instant when she saw who else was in the room, and her heart raced in alarm. Her gaze was unwavering as she looked at them, knowing that she must stay calm and not show the slightest hint of fear. They couldn’t touch Jack. She glanced at Mrs Harcourt, who gave her an encouraging smile, coming to stand beside the policeman, showing her support for Hanna.

  ‘I told this officer that you would soon be able to clear up any misunderstanding, Hanna,’ Mrs Harcourt said. ‘I know you haven’t done anything wrong.’

  Talbot looked smug. ‘Didn’t think I’d find you, did you? It was easy. I followed you when you left the orphanage. I’ve come for your brother, and this officer is here to see you tell us where you’ve hidden him.’

  The odious man was about to say more, but the policeman stopped him. ‘I’ll handle this, sir. Now, Miss Foster, will you tell me where your brother is and why he ran away from Mr and Mrs Talbot?’

  ‘He ran away because Mr Talbot is a bully and beat him regularly.’ She spoke clearly, looking the policeman straight in the eyes.

  ‘Lies!’

  ‘No, it’s the truth, as anyone who knows him will tell you, and my brother said that he hits his wife as well. That’s why she’s so frightened of him. You might want to look into that, as well, Officer.’

  ‘Don’t listen to her! She’ll say anything to protect her brother.’

  Hanna immediately picked up on the word ‘protect’. ‘You’re right. I would do anything to protect Jack, but I don’t need to lie because you can’t touch him now.’

  ‘Officer! Arrest her. She’s done something bad to that boy!’

  ‘I told you I’d handle this, Mr Talbot.’ The policeman silenced the irate man, and turned his attention to Hanna. ‘You had better tell us what you mean by that, Miss Foster. Mr Talbot has reported his disappearance, and it is our duty to find him. He obviously isn’t with you, and as a minor, we must make sure he is safe.’

  ‘Minor?’ Hanna frowned.

  ‘Yes, at twelve years old he is considered as such.’

  If the situation hadn’t been so frightening, Hanna would have laughed. ‘Is that what he told you? Who is telling lies now, Mr Talbot? My brother will be
sixteen on the second of November.’

  ‘Can you prove that, Miss Foster?’

  ‘Yes, if you will allow me to go to my room?’

  The policeman nodded, and Hanna sped up the stairs, opened the wardrobe and retrieved an old battered tin box, then hurried back to the sitting room. She opened the box in front of the policeman and handed him Jack’s birth certificate.

  After studying it for a moment, he turned to the man beside him. ‘It seems you were mistaken about the boy’s age, sir.’

  The smug look had gone from Talbot’s face. ‘It don’t matter how old he is. I want him back and it’s your job to find him.’

  ‘Mr Talbot is right, Miss Foster.’ The policeman gave her an apologetic smile. ‘I do need to know where your brother is. I can see that you love him too much to have caused him harm, but I have to file a report.’

  ‘I understand.’ She took some more papers out of the box and handed them over, watching the corners of the policeman’s mouth twitch as he read.

  When he looked up there was a gleam of laughter in his eyes, and she couldn’t help smiling broadly at him. Now she looked closely he had a nice face and eyes with a touch of green in them. She immediately felt comfortable with him, and knew this was a man she could trust. All her worry and apprehension disappeared.

  ‘What’s going on? What you got there?’ Talbot made a snatch at the papers, but the policeman moved them out of his way and handed them back to Hanna.

  ‘We owe these ladies an apology for taking up their time with something which is not a police matter.’ He turned to Mrs Harcourt first. ‘Thank you for allowing us into your home, Mrs Harcourt. I know you told me that the boy was safe, but I had to talk to Miss Foster to be certain of that.’

  ‘I understand. I knew Hanna would as well, and that is why I agreed to this interview.’

  He turned to Hanna. ‘I apologize for subjecting you to this ordeal, Miss Foster. No law has been broken here.’

  ‘What do you mean? Where’s the kid?’

  ‘Jack Foster is now in the merchant navy and on his way to New Zealand.’

  ‘But he can’t be!’ Talbot spluttered. ‘He’s too young.’