There was a man in blue overalls who used to swab that part of the deck where I sat each morning. I had struck up an acquaintance with him . if it could be called that. He would come along with his mop and pail, tip out the water and swab away.
At such an hour the deck was almost deserted.
As he approached I said: “Good morning. I came out for a breath of fresh air. It was stifling in the cabin.”
“Oh yes,” he said, and went on swabbing.
“Am I in your way? I’d better move.”
“Oh no. It’s all right. I’ll go round and do that bit later.”
It was a cultured voice devoid of accent. I studied him fairly tall, light brown hair and rather sad eyes.
“You don’t get many people sitting out at this hour,” I said.
“No.”
“I expect you think I’m crazy.”
“No … no. I understand you want to get the air. And this is the best time of the day.”
“Oh, I do agree.”
I insisted on getting up and he moved my chair and went on swabbing.
That was the first morning I saw him and on the next one I met him again. By the third morning I imagined he looked for me. It was not exactly an assignation, but it seemed to have become part of the day’s ritual. We exchanged a few words.
“Good morning … it’s a nice day .” and so on. He always kept his head down when he was swabbing, as though completely absorbed by what he was doing.
“You like the sea, don’t you?” he said on the fourth morning.
I said I believed I did. I was not sure yet as it was the first time I’d been on it.
“It takes a grip on you. It’s fascinating. It can change so quickly.”
“Like life,” I said, thinking of the changes in mine.
He did not answer and I went on: “I suppose you’ve had great experience of the sea?”
He shook his head and moved away.
Mealtimes on board were interesting. Lucas Lorimer, as a friend, sat at our table and Captain Graysom had made a pleasant custom of taking his seat at each table in turn during the voyage so that he could get to know most of his passengers. He had many stories to tell of his adventures at sea and that happy custom made it possible for all to hear of them.
“It is easy for him,” said Lucas.
“He has his repertoire and all he has to do is give a repeat performance at each table. You notice he knows just where to pause for the laugh and get the best dramatic effects.”
“You are a little like that,” I told him.
“Oh, I wasn’t suggesting repetition, but you know where the pauses should come, too.”
“I see that you know me too well for my comfort.”
“Well then, let me comfort you. I think one of the greatest gifts one can have is the ability to make people laugh.”
He took my hand and kissed it.
My parents, who were at the table when this dialogue took place, were a little startled. I think it might have brought home to them that I was growing up.
Lucas and I were taking a walk round the deck when we encountered Captain Graysom. He used to walk round the ship every day to assure himself, I supposed, that everything was in order.
“All well?” he asked as he approached.
“Very well indeed,” answered Lucas.
“Getting your sea legs now? They don’t always come at once. But we’ve been moderately lucky in the weather … so far.”
“Isn’t it going to continue?” I asked.
“You need a wiser man than I am to tell you that, Miss Cranleigh. We can only forecast… and never with absolute certainty. The weather is unpredictable. All the signs look good and then something quite unforeseen appears on the horizon and our forecasts go awry.”
“Predictability can be a little dull,” said Lucas.
“There is always a certain attraction in the unexpected.”
“I’m not sure that applies to the weather,” said the Cap tain.
“We’ll shortly be putting into Madeira. You’ll go ashore?”
“Oh, yes,” I cried.
“I’m looking forward to that.”
“It’s a pity we only have one day there,” said Lucas.
“Just long enough to pick up stores. You’ll like the island. You must sample the wine. It’s good.”
Then he left us.
“What plans have you for Madeira?” asked Lucas.
“My parents haven’t said anything yet.”
“I should like to escort you round the place.”
“Oh, thank you. Have you been there before?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“So you will be safe with me.”
It was exhilarating to wake up in the morning and see land. I was on deck early to watch our approach. I could see the green lush island rising out of a pellucid aquamarine-coloured sea. The sun was warm and there was no wind to disturb the water.
My father had a slight cold and was staying on board;
he had plenty to occupy him; and my mother would be with him. They thought it would be an excellent idea if I went ashore with Mr. Lorimer who had kindly offered to take me.
I was content, feeling somewhat guiltily, how much more enjoyable it would be without them. Lucas did not say so, but I felt sure he shared my view.
“Having been here before I shall know something about it,” he said.
“And if there is anything of which I am ignorant-‘ ” Which is most unlikely. “
“We shall discover it together,” he finished.
And on that note we set out.
I drew deep breaths of air which seemed scented with flowers. Indeed, there were flowers everywhere. Stalls were overflowing with brilliantly coloured blossoms, as well as baskets, embroidered bags, shawls and tablecloths and mats.
compamo and I thoi the Professor. I was honoured . and look, it has led to this. So call it a talk. That’s much more cosy. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling it will shock your parents. It’s about gruesome things like curses and tomb robbers. “
“People might enjoy hearing about that sort of thing rather than .. “
“I’m not letting it bother me. If they don’t like it that will be that. So… I refuse to allow preparations to overshadow my pleasure.
It’s the greatest good luck that we are travelling together. “
“It’s certainly pleasant for me.”
“We’re getting maudlin. It’s the wine perhaps. It’s good, isn’t it? We must buy a bottle to show our appreciation of the free sample.”
“I hope all the free samples make it worthwhile.”
“Must do, or they wouldn’t continue with the old custom, would they?
In the meantime it is very pleasant sitting here in this darkish room, on these uncomfortable stools, sipping their excellent Madeira wine.”
Several of our fellow passengers came into the cellar. We called greetings to each other. They all looked as though they were enjoying the day.
Then a young man walked past our table, i “Oh hello,” said Lucas.
The young man paused.
“Oh,” said Lucas, “I thought I knew you.”
The young man stared at Lucas stonily and then I recognized him, which I had not done previously because he was not on this occasion wearing the overalls in which I had always seen him before. He was the young man who swabbed the decks in the morning.
“No,” he said.
“I don’t think …”
“Sorry. I just thought for the moment I’d met you somewhere.”
I smiled and said: “You must have seen each other on board.”
The deck hand had drawn himself up rather tensely and was studying Lucas, I thought, with a hint of uneasiness.