Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 69- Homecoming

Year 5 - Early August

At last she reached Torpoint, riding slowly up to her father's small house that overlooked the River Tamar and the naval dockyard at Devonport. Nervously she knocked on the door, unsure of her reception.

Her father, Edmund Groves answered the door after a few moments. "Catherine! What are you doing here?" he gasped.

"I was in the area Papa an' thought I'd drop by," she smiled, hoping she sounded innocent and hating herself for lying. "Is there somewhere I can stable my horse?"

He took the reins from her. "Go and get yourself warmed up child, you look frozen. Bill owes me a favour, he can put your mare in with his horse for tonight…" He walked slowly towards a neighbouring house, limping badly.

She stood, watching him. His bad leg was getting worse and she had not realised how frail he had become whilst she had been away. Entering the small house, she gratefully sought the warmth of the fire, hands itching as she studied the painting over the fireplace. She turned upon hearing her father shut the door behind him. "I'd forgotten how cold it gets here…"

"Why didn't you tell me Catherine?" She knew she was already in trouble by the sound of his voice - stern, disapproving. "Did you not think that I might have liked to see you get married again?" He paused. "All I got was a letter from your brother saying that you had married a captain and were living on his ship!"

"I'm sorry Papa, things were a little hectic in Port Royal… " she evaded.

"Is he here, this husband of yours?" His eyes took in her pearl necklace and earrings. "He is obviously doing well..."

"He has business up near Padstow… I am to re-join him in a few days time before we return to Port Royal." She tried to steer the conversation away from Jack. "How are you Papa?"

"I'm all right, apart from this stupid leg of mine - damn pirates. But I am glad your husband is here as I want to meet him. You can take me back to Port Royal with you. I've written to Theodore, been meaning to travel out to live with him this past year, but finances would not permit it." He sighed expressively. "My leg has been getting worse of late, and the cold weather here does not help. Once winter sets in…"

Catherine's mind whirled. He wanted to return with them… how could she get out of this? As soon as he saw the Black Pearl and its crew he would know them for pirates.

"But…" she stuttered.

"Theodore won't mind, and I need to see the sunshine again!" he declared. "It will only take me an hour or so to sort things in the morning - I travel light and Bill can always take care of what I leave."

"But…" she waved her arms, indicating his home.

"Ah, I'll sell it or give it away…" he grunted. "Material things aren't important when you get to my age."

"What about the painting…" she cautiously asked, frightened to seem too eager. "Could I have it if you don't want it? I've always loved it!" She winced at her deceit.

"If you like," he shrugged. "Consider it a late wedding present." She smiled in relief. "I'll make up the spare bed for you…" He hobbled off.

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Catherine lay in the guest bed, the sheets slightly musty. Apart from the occasional panicked "but" it never crossed her mind to say no to her father for she had spent her entire life obeying him. Mind whirling, she cuddled down beneath the blanket, glad of the extra warmth as she tried to figure a way out of the mess. Eventually, fitfully, she slept despite missing the warmth of Jack's body and the gentle sway of the Black Pearl rocking her to sleep.

She awoke the following morning to find herself caught up in a whirlwind of activity as her father began selling or giving away most of his possessions. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather I send you the money? You could travel on a properly guarded ship…" she protested.

"No, Catherine. I am sure that I will be perfectly safe - your husband is a good man and would allow no harm to come to you now, would he?" He smiled at her warmly, making her feel even worse for the deceit than before.

"No, Papa…" She watched as he loaded another stout leather saddlebag across the sturdy flea-bitten grey gelding.

"Now we are going I am quite looking forward to it. I've missed being at sea…" he dreamed. Turning to help her mount, he was shocked to see her already astride her mare. "Catherine! I swear you should have been a boy!"

"Sorry, Papa…" she apologised.

Shaking his head at her lack of decorum, Edmund Groves mounted and followed his daughter out of Torpoint.

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Catherine quietly made sure her pistol was to hand when they crossed the southern tip of the moor. Her eyes scanned the bushes on either side of the road.

"Catherine?" her father queried, noting her cautious gaze, but not spotting her pistol.

"Don't worry, Papa, but a highwayman tried to rob me here earlier," she smiled. "He wasn't very good, more of a boy really…"

"You were held up!" Her father looked shocked. "You never said, Catherine!"

"I was unharmed, there was little…" She paused, listening carefully before reining her mare to a stop. She drew her pistol, aiming at some bushes. "I thought I told you to find another trade boy!"

A nose and then the rest of a bay horse edged from concealment. "How did…"

She smiled. "Rule number one - never hit the same place twice. Rule number two - never try to hit the same person in the same place either!" She sighed. "Go home boy!"

The young man dismounted. "I don't have a home Mistress…" he protested.

"Well go and find yourself an honest trade - you obviously aren't suited to robbing people…" she warned.

"Who are you?" he asked, frowning at the elderly gentleman beside her.

"Go boy!" Keeping one eye on the would-be highwayman, indicating he should throw his pistol into the bushes, she half-turned to her father. "Ride on Papa…"

"Catherine!" he protested, not sure of her actions, nor of her calmness in the situation they found themselves.

"Ride on!" When he did, she reined her horse backwards, retreating from the now unarmed young man. "I'd take my advice if I were you… the hangman's noose isn't all it's cracked up to be!"

She wheeled her horse around, cantering after her father who was nearly out of sight.