Chapter 10

It would be hard to say who was the most excited on Friday. Lucy and Andrew were excited because they were going to Ipswich and they'd see Emily Jane and meet Tom (not to mention the others on board and probably Jenni and Annie too). Amy was excited because she would be seeing Tom to invite him to live with them and she hoped he would want to. She was also aware that she was quite looking forward to seeing John Shepherd again. John Shepherd was excited and he was definitely not thinking about why. It was enough that a problem was (probably at least) on its way to a solution. Terry and Anh were excited that they'd be together again. Jenni and Marty were missing each other. Tom was just excited; he didn't know what was waiting for him in Ipswich.

Marty brought Emily Jane alongside her berth neatly and Tom hopped over the rail to drop the bowlines of the springs over the quay bitts before clambering up the ratlines to lash the topsail neatly. Jenni and Anh were on the quayside before Emily Jane arrived at one, and watched the whole evolution, Jenni quietly making approving comments to Anh.

The harbour stow was almost complete when John walked along the quayside to the ship a few minutes ahead of Amy with Lucy and Andrew who approached from the opposite direction. He waved to them and determinedly turned his attention to the barge, where the Birmingham party were assembling with their luggage to await their transport.

Marty caught sight of him. "Come aboard, John!" When he'd done so, "D'you want to sit in the saloon for a few minutes? We're about done here."

"Thanks! Amy Conway and her two are on their way here. Could I have a word with Tom alone before they get here?"

"Sure! I'll send him below to you and keep them on deck until you call."

Tom was reluctant to leave what they were doing, but Marty insisted. "Go on. John needs a word with you, you've worked very hard and we're almost done anyway."

Tom shrugged, said, "Okay, Skipper." and went below.

"Come and sit down, Tom," John said. "I've got some news for you."

Tom looked at him, his expression mixed resignation and despair.

"First of all, don't worry, I'm not taking you away from here. I'm hearing good things about you and I don't want anything spoiling that."

Tom relaxed, but still looked wary.

"Right. Your father..."

"What does he want?" The words burst from Tom's lips, enormous indignation obvious.

"That I couldn't say, but he's going to prison, I'm afraid, for a long time."

"Good riddance!"

"Well! I suppose that answers my question, how do you feel about it! But there was something else. I'm afraid your mother's in hospital, and she may have to stay there, well, perhaps the rest of her life."

Tom sighed. "The booze, I guess. Poor old bitch. She didn't have much of a chance."

"There's one more thing, but I think I'll let someone else talk to you about that ... If you'll give me a moment?"

Tom shrugged, non-committally and John went on deck.

"Amy? Mrs. Conway? And Lucy and Andrew, of course," he called across the deck.

The three went across to him and descended the companionway.

"Tom," said John, "you know Mrs. Conway. This is Lucy and Andrew, her children."

He looked at them, his expression closed, defensive.

"Tom," began Amy, "I enjoyed talking to you the other day. I was wondering ... we ... Lucy, Andrew and I, well, would you like to live with us?"

He looked confused then, looking around at the others. His expression changed again as he looked at John Shepherd – anger? Disappointment?

"Did you organise this?"

"Me?" John was genuinely surprised. "No, Amy ... Mrs. Conway ... came to me – rang me, that is."

A small hand crept into Tom's, and he looked down into Lucy's large, expressive eyes. No one can do 'longing appeal' better than small girls, and Lucy, it has to be said, was expert.

"Won't you come?" It was a very little voice. "We'd love you to be our big brother."

His defences crumbled, leaving only his insecurity and fear overlaid with hope.

"You really want me?" He looked up at Amy.

"We really want you. You could come home with us this weekend, if you like, to see if you like it. We'll get you back here Sunday afternoon, ready to go out again on Monday. Bring your washing and we'll get that done too."

"Okay ... if it's alright with everyone else?"

A small, warm hand tugged at his. "Let's go and ask Marty right now!"

Lucy towed Tom out of the saloon to the companionway. She had to let go of his hand to negotiate the ladder, but reclaimed it as soon as he'd followed her onto the deck.

In the saloon, Amy and John looked at each other. Andrew just looked ... gobsmacked is the only word that does justice to his expression. He and Lucy did everything together. Lucy never took the initiative like that.

John handed Amy a card. "Here's my office and personal mobile numbers; don't hesitate to call. I was going to add, if you have problems, but ... just ... don't hesitate to call. I need to get off, I'm afraid, so ... good luck with the weekend and ... oh, just good luck."

"Thanks," Amy said quietly, taking his hand. "Don't be a stranger."

He felt his face heating, but managed to retreat in good order.

On deck, Marty was talking to Tom.

"No, of course it's fine if you want to go with Amy for the weekend. As long as you're here Sunday night. You can come back before if you like, but I'm sure Annie and Terry will be happy to have some alone time together."

"Thanks, Skipper ... I ... I'll see you Sunday, then." He looked down at Lucy who was gazing up at him. "I need to get my bag."

"Where is it then?"

"In the fo'c's'le."

She tugged on his hand, heading towards the bows of the barge, negotiating the stragglers of the Birmingham party. At the hatch, he disengaged his hand to clamber down.

"Can I come too?" Lucy's voice followed him as he disappeared.

At the bottom of the ladder he looked up. "If you want."

She didn't hesitate to follow him, reaching the bottom as he began stuffing clothes in a holdall. "It's not very big, is it?"

Zipping the bag, he sat on the lower bunk and looked at her, more or less eye to eye.

"That's because, once upon a time, ships like this carried cargo, and the more room the crew had, the less room there was for the cargo. The skipper's cabin isn't much bigger, though it's got a double bunk in."

"That's why," Lucy exclaimed excitedly, "you're squeezed in right at the front, and the skipper is right at the back ... to make more room in the middle!"

Tom grinned. "You got it!"

A minibus drew up and the Birmingham people piled in, waving to Marty, Terry and Tom on the deck. As they left, John took his leave also, followed by Amy, with the twins and Tom in tow. At least, Tom was in tow with Lucy hanging on to his hand and leading the way.

When the last rope was coiled and all was shipshape, Marty turned to his Mate.

"Well, Terry, have a great time with your Missus. As I will with mine. I'm off, you've got my number if you need me."

As they left, Anh turned to her husband.

"Mr Mate, I want to be the same height as you. I reckon there ought to be a bed below somewhere we can make that happen ... don't you?"

"Absolutely, Missus! Lead the way."

They proceeded to make up for lost time.