Well, that’s why, of course. We usually dock in Southampton and it’s my pied-a-terre. You know what that is, because I heard you’ve been learning French. It’s a little place to step into when the need arises. One day, when I’ve finished with the sea, I’ll settle. But in the meantime it’s a pied-a-terre with Mrs. Q.”
“Mrs. Q?”
“Polly. Polly Quinton, that is. She’s a real sport. You’ll love her.
She looks after those she calls her sailor boys. Oh, I’m not the only one. One of a crowd, actually. They come and go. It suits me and it suits Mrs. Q.
I’ve got four rooms at the top of the house with a view over the harbour. Not far from the old vessel, you see. Well, you know, the ship becomes part of you. Ships are wonderful. They’re temperamental . they’ve a life of their own. Funny little tricks they get up to-and each one’s different. Capricious, that’s what they are. Just like women, they say. Did you know they always call a ship “she” never “he” No, there’s nothing of a man about a ship. That’s why you get to love them, you know. “
I revelled in these conversations. He had always been loquacious and had a jaunty way of speaking, and everything that had happened in Commonwood House during those last months began to fade into a memory and I was entering a new and enthralling world, and with this exciting project ahead and the company of Uncle Toby, I was completely absorbed.
“We have just over a week before we board the Lady of the Seas,“ he told me.
“There is much to be done. Not only will you require certain garments, but there are some formalities to be seen to. I’ll arrange all that. You and Mrs. Q. can settle the other.”
As Uncle Toby had said, the house was near the docks and Polly Quinton greeted me as though she had known me all my life. She was very plump, with a rosy face and eyes which almost disappeared when she laughed, which was frequently. Everything seemed amusing to her. She had a habit of folding her hands across her large bosom and shaking with mirth.
The house was on five floors and all the rooms except those in the basement were let to sailors.
Mrs. Quinton had a special feeling for sailors, I soon discovered, for one never had to lure Mrs. Quinton into talking of herself. She would do so for as long as one cared to listen.
“My Charley was a sailor boy,” she told me, her eyes wide open and misty for once.
“He was a real man, he was. The times we had!” She shook on recollection.
“He’d come home hell bent on making the most of his leave. He was like that. They get a lot out of life, dear, that sort. Those were the days! And then that was it. He went down with his ship off South America.” She was silent for a moment, her face sad.
Then she was merry again.
“Yes, we had some good times together, and he left me comfortable. He always used to say, ” You’ll be all right, Poll, when I’ve gone. You’ve got this house. There’s a living in it. ” And so there has been. I’d stop him talking like that. It upset me. Well, he was right. I let this place off to my sailors. They remind me of my Charley. Your Uncle Toby has been with me for a number of years. He’s a real gentle man. I don’t mind telling you, dear, I’ve got a special soft spot for him.
You’re a lucky girl, you are. He’s taking you off to sea with him.
Well, I reckon that’s something, I do. I wish I’d been with my Charley when . Well, it’s no good, is it? I always felt I’d have found some way of looking after him. But that’s me. Charley always used to say, “You think you can do everything better than everyone else.” It’s true. That’s why I’d have found some way of getting him out of that sea. Well, dear, we’re going to do some shopping tomorrow. To tell you the truth, there’s nothing I like better than spending a bit of money.”
She was laughing, her temporary sadness gone.
We shopped together. We bought the garments which Uncle Toby said I should need for shipboard life sturdy shoes with soles that would not slip on wet decks; some summer dresses for a hot climate. Mrs. Quinton thoroughly enjoyed these expeditions, and so did I. Uncle Toby was away for long periods during the day, for he had business to attend to. The ship was in port and certain repairs were being done. He took me over her. And what a thrill that was! I was to have a cabin on the deck just below the bridge where Uncle Toby’s own cabin was situated.
“You’ll be a passenger,” he told me.
“A very special person. I have to look after the passengers, but for the most part the cargo looks after itself. So I shall be able to keep my eye on you.”
He showed me the dining-room with its long tables. There was a smoking-room, a music room, as well as public rooms where people could indulge in all sorts of activities, and stretches of deck where one could sit and contemplate the sea. I felt I had skipped into a fantastic new world.
And then we were sailing and this was like the realization of a long-cherished dream. My pride in Uncle Toby was excessive. He looked splendid in his Captain’s uniform and everyone deferred to him. He was the Master of the Lady of the Seas and all who sailed in her.
He had changed subtly. He was god-like and alert for the safety of all who depended on him. He was usually very occupied, but we did have moments together, and I was gratified and honoured because I believe he enjoyed them as much as I did.
He would say: “I’ll be on the bridge for some time, so I shan’t be able to be with you-but just as soon as it is possible …”
I would nod, delighted that he should explain to me, which was something grown-ups rarely did. I often thought how lucky I was to have him, for he was not really my uncle, though he always spoke and acted as though he were. I would never forget that I was the one he had taken to sea with him-not Henry, Estella or Adeline. One would have thought he would have taken Henry, because boys were usually chosen for adventures like this. Secretly I thought Uncle Toby did not like Henry or even Estella or Adeline as well as me. And that was where the miracle came in.
Occasionally, I would think of the old life, though I did not want to, but it would force itself into my mind. How were they getting on with Aunt Florence, I wondered? Perhaps they would be home by now. They would have the inquest and the house would settle down to its old routine. Lessons and walks with Miss Carson; and Mrs. Marline safely buried and unable to spoil anything again. Adeline would be pleased.
She might miss me a little, but Miss Carson would make up for that.
So it would be a happy ending for them as well as for me. Now and then the thought came to me of what would happen when this voyage was over.
I should go back to Commonwood, I supposed, and then everything would be settled.
But I did not want to think of that. I was going to enjoy every moment of this wonderful adventure first.
Shipboard life was absorbing. At mealtimes we sat at a long table, which was jolly. Everyone was friendly towards me because I was the Captain’s protegee, and they told me how lucky I was to have an uncle who took me on his ship for a long sea voyage. Sometimes Uncle Toby joined us. People all wanted to talk to him. They asked questions about the ship and he talked to them in his jolly, jaunty way which they all seemed to like.
At night I would lie in my berth in the cabin just below the bridge and think of Uncle Toby up there, looking at his charts and the stars as he drove the ship along.
I shared a cabin with a girl who was more or less my own age. Gertie Forman was going to Australia with her family father, mother and brother Jimmy to settle there.
There were two berths, one above the other, and I climbed into mine the top one by means of a ladder which could be pulled down when one needed it. It was great fun lying up there, particularly when the ship rocked.