Usual blurb, don't own anything etc, etc, etc! If you read this, please,
please review, as I need to know where I'm going wrong (or even right!)
Thanks.
Chapter 4
Maddy woke with a start, sweating and panting, as she relived the nightmare of the whirlpool. She heard a noise in the gloom, it was Jack, snoring softly, a bottle in his hand in danger of crashing to the floor. Maddy slipped off the bunk and carefully took the bottle out of Jacks' hand. She looked at him sleeping peacefully, his hat half-cocked over his face, and she smiled. For all his lewd behavior, he had looked after her well. Maddy shivered, and climbed back into the bunk, pulling the covers tightly around her. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to come once more. But it wouldn't, she tossed and turned, trying to rid herself of the images that kept going through her mind. Maddy let out a deep sigh, it was no use, sleep was obviously not going to come now. She crept out of the bunk, pulled on a coat that was slung across Jacks' desk, and tiptoed out of the cabin, so as not to disturb the Captain. Not that much would have, he had drunk too much rum, the evidence being in the empty bottle she had removed from his hand.
Maddy crept on deck, and nearly jumped out of her skin, as a hand grabbed her from behind, spinning her around. In the darkness all's she could see of Ebenezer Tucker was the whites of his eyes, and his pearly white teeth, grinning at her. 'Ello Miss, you're up a little late aren't you?' His deep voice boomed at her.
'I-I-I couldn't sleep,' she stammered, her heart still thumping from fright.
'Well you just be careful Miss, y'never know what you might bump into aboard a pirate ship..' Maddys eyes widened in fright, and she scowled at the man laughing at her, realising he was teasing.
Madalenes tried to keep the fear from her voice as she asked Eb where they were heading for.
'Hispaniola Miss', came the reply.
'Oh', Maddy wondered what it would be like on land 300 years out of her time. 'By the way', please called me Maddy, what is your name?' Eb grinned at her, 'Ebenezer Tucker, Eb to my friends'. She smiled at him, wondering what the rest of the crew were like. Eb left Maddy staring at the ocean, lost in thought
Madalene wasn't sure how long she'd stood on deck, mulling things over in her mind. She thought about what Jack had said about throwing herself into a whirlpool. She knew it was probably the only way she'd get home again, but at the same time, knew she wouldn't do it if she had the chance. The only thing she could do was get used to life in the late 1600's.
Peace was shattered by a voice yelling from below, 'Some bloody thief's nicked me coat!'
Maddy jumped from her reverie and pulled off the coat, hurrying across the deck as she did so. 'Here it is,' she called to the voice below. Maddy started to go down the stairs to Jacks' cabin, only to meet him halfway up them. His shirt was unbuttoned and Maddy fought desperately to keep her eyes fixed on his face. Jack saw the internal struggle in her eyes and smiled slowly at her. 'Mornin' luv' He moved up a couple more stairs, so that he and Maddy were on the same level. Jack pressed against her in the cramped space, Maddy looked away from him, her face burning. 'Wotcha doin' with me coat?' his voice had lost it's rough edge, and was like deep velvet, his lips close, too close to her face.
'I-I couldn't sleep, so went on deck,' Maddy tried to keep her voice even. She held her breath as he pressed against her, she could feel the heat of his body through her t-shirt.
'Land-ho!'
'Shit' muttered Jack under his breath, 'I'll have to luv ya and leave ya darlin', Captains' duty calls.' He brushed his lips gently across Maddys, and disappeared up the stairs.
Maddy leaned against the stairwell, trying to get her breath back, trying harder still to ignore the white-hot bolt of desire that surged through her body. 'Don't be bloody stupid,' she scolded herself.
Mr Gibbs appeared at the bottom of the stairs, and waited for her to move one way or the other. Madalene descended to the bottom and greeted the sailor with a smile. 'Good morning Mr Gibbs, thank you for looking after me so well yesterday'. Joshamee Gibbs was unsettled by Maddys' friendliness and muttered something under his breath, before disappearing up the stairs.
Maddy sighed, 'Now what do I do?' She was loathe to go on deck, Maddy wanted as much distance between her and Jack as was possible on a ship. Maddy noticed a small boy watching her. 'Hello', she smiled at him, 'I'm Maddy'.
The boy broke into a wide grin, 'I'm Daniel, come on, it's breakfast time, I'll show you the mess'. He grabbed Maddys' hand and led her through the corridors, until they came to the mess. The sailors inside went suddenly quiet when they saw Maddy.
'Um, hello'. She hesitated at the door, Daniel pulled her into the room and sat her down on a bench.
'I'll get yer food Miss Maddy,' and turned to the cook Tom, who had already ladled some cooked oats into two bowls.
'Thank you Daniel,' she smiled at him, wondering whether to say anything to the others in the mess. Then she saw Eb Tucker come in the room, and felt a little better at seeing a familiar face. He got his food and squeezed onto the bench besides Maddy.
'Did you get any sleep Maddy?' he asked through a mouthful of oats.
'No Eb, I stayed on deck until daybreak.' The oats didn't taste very nice, but Maddy was too hungry to care much.
'Ah, you didn't want to stay with the Captain then..?' He grinned at the other sailors, who burst into raucous laughter.
'No' Maddy was furious to find herself blushing deeply. 'Why does he have that affect on me?' she asked herself.
'What's all this noise, yer scabrous dogs?' came Jacks' voice from the doorway. 'Get yer backsides on deck now, there's work to be done.'
The men all rushed out of the mess, even Daniel, leaving just Maddy, Jack and Tom.
'What are you going to do with me?' Maddy asked Jack, suddenly feeling fearful. 'Maybe he's going to sell me as a slave when they dock,' she thought, her imagination running riot. She gulped down the another mouthful of oats, and looked up at Jack, who was grinning at her.
'Nothing luv, I don't expect yer to work yet, not til you've got yer strength back.'
'Work?'
'Aye luv, I don't take passengers, so if yer to stay on me ship, you have to work yer livin' savvy?'
'You expect me to stay on board?' Maddy felt her anger rising at Jacks' presumption. 'What if I don't want to stay onboard? Will you hold me against my will?'
Jack sighed, 'Why did this woman have to be so bloody defensive all the time?' 'Look luv,' he said, as if talking to a child, 'The way I see it, you've got no choice. I can set yer down at Santo Domingo, but what'll ya do eh? You'll stick out like a sore thumb, you've got no money, no clothes, you don't know a soul in this world, apart from us. You'll get picked up by far worse pirates than are aboard this ship, me included, and who knows what'll happen to ya, savvy? So you'll be staying put Madalene, it's fer yer own good.' With that Jack turned and walked down the corridor.
Madalene sat there, mouth open, spoon suspended in mid air. 'How dare he,' she thought angrily to herself.' She slung the spoon into the bowl and marched down the corridor after Jack. 'Just who the hell do you think you are? You don't own me, you can't tell me what to do. Jack, stop, STOP!' Maddy grabbed Jacks' arm and pulled him to a stop. Her turned and glared at her, anger flashing in his eyes.
'I'm the bloody Captain of this ship, so YES, I can tell yer what to do.' He snatched his arm away from Madalenes' grasp and stomped off. Maddy ran after him, grabbing his arm again. Jack spun and pushed her against the wall. 'Now listen luv,' he growled quietly, 'I'll make allowances for yer, considerin' what you've been through, but yer really startin' to try me patience, savvy?' Jack pushed Maddy away from him, and disappeared into a cabin, slamming the door behind him. He sighed and leaned against the door, wondering what had come over him. There weren't too many women who could make him lose his temper. Jack smiled at the memory of a humdinger he and Elizabeth Turner had had, the last time he stole a visit to Port Royal. 'Poor Will,' he chuckled to himself, seeing in his minds' eye, Wills' attempts to calm both his wife and Jack down, and barely escaping unscathed. Jack took a deep breath, opened the door, and peered around, making sure Maddy was nowhere in sight.
'S'all right Cap'n, she's gone.' Jack looked at the cook Tom and grinned.
'So it's safe to come out then?' Jack winked at Tom, then made his way to the deck, where the crew were hard at work, making ready to dock. 'Mr Gibbs, I'll take the wheel,' the older man yielded to wheel to Jack. He enjoyed the rhythm of the sea, through the movement of the wheel, and was just losing himself in a daydream involving treasure, copious amounts of rum and a bevy of whores, when Maddy appeared on deck. The crew collectively drew breath, waiting for the next round.
'Jack.' Maddy walked over to him. Jack looked pointedly away to the horizon. 'Jack, I'm sorry.' Jack's eyebrows raised slowly and he turned to face Madalene.
'Sorry, what was that luv?' Jack was determined to milk this for all it was worth.
'I'm sorry, you were right, I wouldn't be able to make a life for myself on land.'
'Hmmm...' Jack was enjoying himself immensely. 'So yer willing to do as yer told are ya?'
'Within reason, yes,' came the frosty reply.
'All right luv, ya go down to the galley later an' help Tom with preparing dinner. It's the last solid meal most of us'll have for a few days, once we hit Santo Domingo.'
'Why? Surely there are places to eat there?' Maddy was puzzled by what Jack was on about. The crew roared with laughter.
'Yes Madalene, there are plenty of place to eat in Santo Domingo, but there are even more places to drink,' Jack grinned at her. Maddy rolled her eyes at him.
'Is that all you think about Captain?' Realizing too late, that she'd left herself wide open for the reply she knew was coming.
'Nah, not all I think about luv,' he leered at her.
Maddy sighed. 'I give up', she thought to herself and walked to the side of the Pearl, watching as the port of Santo Domingo loomed closer. She felt the presence of someone beside her and looked. It was Daniel, who leaned on the side and pointed out some porpoises to her. Maddy smiled, the smile turning to one of sadness, as she remembered the porpoises she'd seen not a few days ago, but in another lifetime. Maddy was determined not to cry again, so turned to Daniel. 'Have you finished your work?'
'No Miss Maddy, but the Captain don't like to work me too hard, so I has a break every now and then.'
'I see.' Madalene was surprised at this caring side of Jack. 'Should you be working at all, at your age?' Daniel looked puzzled.
'He's older than I was, when I was put to sea,' came Jacks' voice from the helm. The crew looked around in amazement. They'd never heard Jack talk about his life to anyone, let alone a strange woman they'd only picked up a few days ago.
'How old were you then?' Maddy was intrigued. She guessed by the reaction of the crew, that they were too.
'Me? I was 7 when me old lady gave me up to the Captain of a merchant vessel.'
'Why did she give you up?'
Jack was beginning to regret saying anything now. 'Family matters,' the tone in his voice told Maddy not to press further. 'Daniel, I've forgotten the way to the galley, could you show me please?' She felt it was time to make an exit.
'Sure Miss Maddy', Daniel took her hand, and led her down the stairs and along to the galley.
'Thank you Daniel' Maddy smiled at him, she never had anything to do with kids in her old life, but felt a soft spot for this lad. 'Tom, Jack sent me down to help you prepare dinner.'
'Righto Maddy. If yer can peel them spuds for me, I'd be much obliged.' Maddy looked at the large mound of potatoes to peel and groan inwardly, then set to work.
***************
'We're here?' Maddy was surprised, she hadn't felt the ship stop.
'Jacks' the best Cap'n and sailor I've ever served under, he can do things with this ship, that no-one else would consider.' Tom smiled down at Maddy.
'No-one in their right mind you mean,' Maddy winked at Tom, who grinned back at her.
'You've got the measure of him mighty quick Miss. Now on with you, or you'll miss the sights.'
Maddy hurried out of the galley and along the corridor, hoping she could remember the way to the deck. She met Eb on the way, and followed his lead, taking in the sea air once she reached the deck. It had been stuffy down below, and Maddy felt her head starting to pound. Jack was striding around the deck, issuing orders to various crewmen. He was wearing a sword belt, his tatty trousers had been replaced by a pair of not so tatty one's, and he'd got a white shirt on, that looked spotless. Over all this, was his battered coat, that reeked of rum. Maddy walked over to him, smiling, to Jacks' relief. 'So, when are we going ashore Jack?' she asked, looking forward to putting her feet on land again.
'You're not going ashore Madalene. I told ya, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, and I have important business to attend to, so ya can stay here an' help Tom in the galley.'
Maddy groaned. 'Please Jack, I need to go ashore, I'll be good, I'll do as I'm told, but please, I've been at sea..' Maddy grinned at him, 'I've been at sea 300 years.'
Jack laughed, feeling tempted to let her come, but remembered all the whores he was going to enjoy the company of. 'Nah luv, next time we dock, I promise yer can go ashore then, but not this time.'
Maddy turned away from him, tears burning in her eyes. She walked dejectedly back to the galley.
***************
The crew returned 2 days later, but a day earlier than expected. Jack looked furious. 'Make ready to sail,' he snarled before disappearing to his cabin. There had been rumours of a map that lead to some treasure, but it had been stolen the week before they arrived, by Jacks greatest pirate adversary, Paul Burns, captain of a ship called The Chinaman, who had been in the British Navy, but turned renegade after he'd been (in his opinion) unfairly punished. Jack thought about trying to catch up with Burns, and taking the map by force, but decided, grudgingly that Burns was too far away to be caught, and was too good a pirate to be taken by surprise by him. Not only had he not got the map, Jack hadn't enjoyed the company of the whores as much as he'd hoped, finding his mind drifting back to Madalene time and time again. Jack took a large swig of rum and kicked off his boots. Mr Gibbs could see to the ship, all Jack wanted to do was get as drunk as possible, as quickly as possible. He sighed at the sound of a knock on the door. 'Come in,' he took another swig of rum and looked up to see Maddy enter the room.
'I wondered if you wanted anything to eat Jack?' Maddy stood in the doorway, not sure whether she should enter the cabin or not.
'No, I'm not hungry,' Jack growled at her. Maddy backed out of the cabin and shut the door firmly behind her. 'Shit! Why does she make me so-o-o- o', Jack struggled to find the right word, 'Arrrgh!' He took another swig of rum, realised the bottle was empty and hurled it against the wall.
Authors notes
I took the idea for a boy on board ship from Master & Commander. I get the feeling Jack has been at sea all his life, and needed Daniel in, to incorporate Jacks story. You'll find out why his mother put him to sea in a later chapter, so you'll just have to carry on reading!
Chapter 4
Maddy woke with a start, sweating and panting, as she relived the nightmare of the whirlpool. She heard a noise in the gloom, it was Jack, snoring softly, a bottle in his hand in danger of crashing to the floor. Maddy slipped off the bunk and carefully took the bottle out of Jacks' hand. She looked at him sleeping peacefully, his hat half-cocked over his face, and she smiled. For all his lewd behavior, he had looked after her well. Maddy shivered, and climbed back into the bunk, pulling the covers tightly around her. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to come once more. But it wouldn't, she tossed and turned, trying to rid herself of the images that kept going through her mind. Maddy let out a deep sigh, it was no use, sleep was obviously not going to come now. She crept out of the bunk, pulled on a coat that was slung across Jacks' desk, and tiptoed out of the cabin, so as not to disturb the Captain. Not that much would have, he had drunk too much rum, the evidence being in the empty bottle she had removed from his hand.
Maddy crept on deck, and nearly jumped out of her skin, as a hand grabbed her from behind, spinning her around. In the darkness all's she could see of Ebenezer Tucker was the whites of his eyes, and his pearly white teeth, grinning at her. 'Ello Miss, you're up a little late aren't you?' His deep voice boomed at her.
'I-I-I couldn't sleep,' she stammered, her heart still thumping from fright.
'Well you just be careful Miss, y'never know what you might bump into aboard a pirate ship..' Maddys eyes widened in fright, and she scowled at the man laughing at her, realising he was teasing.
Madalenes tried to keep the fear from her voice as she asked Eb where they were heading for.
'Hispaniola Miss', came the reply.
'Oh', Maddy wondered what it would be like on land 300 years out of her time. 'By the way', please called me Maddy, what is your name?' Eb grinned at her, 'Ebenezer Tucker, Eb to my friends'. She smiled at him, wondering what the rest of the crew were like. Eb left Maddy staring at the ocean, lost in thought
Madalene wasn't sure how long she'd stood on deck, mulling things over in her mind. She thought about what Jack had said about throwing herself into a whirlpool. She knew it was probably the only way she'd get home again, but at the same time, knew she wouldn't do it if she had the chance. The only thing she could do was get used to life in the late 1600's.
Peace was shattered by a voice yelling from below, 'Some bloody thief's nicked me coat!'
Maddy jumped from her reverie and pulled off the coat, hurrying across the deck as she did so. 'Here it is,' she called to the voice below. Maddy started to go down the stairs to Jacks' cabin, only to meet him halfway up them. His shirt was unbuttoned and Maddy fought desperately to keep her eyes fixed on his face. Jack saw the internal struggle in her eyes and smiled slowly at her. 'Mornin' luv' He moved up a couple more stairs, so that he and Maddy were on the same level. Jack pressed against her in the cramped space, Maddy looked away from him, her face burning. 'Wotcha doin' with me coat?' his voice had lost it's rough edge, and was like deep velvet, his lips close, too close to her face.
'I-I couldn't sleep, so went on deck,' Maddy tried to keep her voice even. She held her breath as he pressed against her, she could feel the heat of his body through her t-shirt.
'Land-ho!'
'Shit' muttered Jack under his breath, 'I'll have to luv ya and leave ya darlin', Captains' duty calls.' He brushed his lips gently across Maddys, and disappeared up the stairs.
Maddy leaned against the stairwell, trying to get her breath back, trying harder still to ignore the white-hot bolt of desire that surged through her body. 'Don't be bloody stupid,' she scolded herself.
Mr Gibbs appeared at the bottom of the stairs, and waited for her to move one way or the other. Madalene descended to the bottom and greeted the sailor with a smile. 'Good morning Mr Gibbs, thank you for looking after me so well yesterday'. Joshamee Gibbs was unsettled by Maddys' friendliness and muttered something under his breath, before disappearing up the stairs.
Maddy sighed, 'Now what do I do?' She was loathe to go on deck, Maddy wanted as much distance between her and Jack as was possible on a ship. Maddy noticed a small boy watching her. 'Hello', she smiled at him, 'I'm Maddy'.
The boy broke into a wide grin, 'I'm Daniel, come on, it's breakfast time, I'll show you the mess'. He grabbed Maddys' hand and led her through the corridors, until they came to the mess. The sailors inside went suddenly quiet when they saw Maddy.
'Um, hello'. She hesitated at the door, Daniel pulled her into the room and sat her down on a bench.
'I'll get yer food Miss Maddy,' and turned to the cook Tom, who had already ladled some cooked oats into two bowls.
'Thank you Daniel,' she smiled at him, wondering whether to say anything to the others in the mess. Then she saw Eb Tucker come in the room, and felt a little better at seeing a familiar face. He got his food and squeezed onto the bench besides Maddy.
'Did you get any sleep Maddy?' he asked through a mouthful of oats.
'No Eb, I stayed on deck until daybreak.' The oats didn't taste very nice, but Maddy was too hungry to care much.
'Ah, you didn't want to stay with the Captain then..?' He grinned at the other sailors, who burst into raucous laughter.
'No' Maddy was furious to find herself blushing deeply. 'Why does he have that affect on me?' she asked herself.
'What's all this noise, yer scabrous dogs?' came Jacks' voice from the doorway. 'Get yer backsides on deck now, there's work to be done.'
The men all rushed out of the mess, even Daniel, leaving just Maddy, Jack and Tom.
'What are you going to do with me?' Maddy asked Jack, suddenly feeling fearful. 'Maybe he's going to sell me as a slave when they dock,' she thought, her imagination running riot. She gulped down the another mouthful of oats, and looked up at Jack, who was grinning at her.
'Nothing luv, I don't expect yer to work yet, not til you've got yer strength back.'
'Work?'
'Aye luv, I don't take passengers, so if yer to stay on me ship, you have to work yer livin' savvy?'
'You expect me to stay on board?' Maddy felt her anger rising at Jacks' presumption. 'What if I don't want to stay onboard? Will you hold me against my will?'
Jack sighed, 'Why did this woman have to be so bloody defensive all the time?' 'Look luv,' he said, as if talking to a child, 'The way I see it, you've got no choice. I can set yer down at Santo Domingo, but what'll ya do eh? You'll stick out like a sore thumb, you've got no money, no clothes, you don't know a soul in this world, apart from us. You'll get picked up by far worse pirates than are aboard this ship, me included, and who knows what'll happen to ya, savvy? So you'll be staying put Madalene, it's fer yer own good.' With that Jack turned and walked down the corridor.
Madalene sat there, mouth open, spoon suspended in mid air. 'How dare he,' she thought angrily to herself.' She slung the spoon into the bowl and marched down the corridor after Jack. 'Just who the hell do you think you are? You don't own me, you can't tell me what to do. Jack, stop, STOP!' Maddy grabbed Jacks' arm and pulled him to a stop. Her turned and glared at her, anger flashing in his eyes.
'I'm the bloody Captain of this ship, so YES, I can tell yer what to do.' He snatched his arm away from Madalenes' grasp and stomped off. Maddy ran after him, grabbing his arm again. Jack spun and pushed her against the wall. 'Now listen luv,' he growled quietly, 'I'll make allowances for yer, considerin' what you've been through, but yer really startin' to try me patience, savvy?' Jack pushed Maddy away from him, and disappeared into a cabin, slamming the door behind him. He sighed and leaned against the door, wondering what had come over him. There weren't too many women who could make him lose his temper. Jack smiled at the memory of a humdinger he and Elizabeth Turner had had, the last time he stole a visit to Port Royal. 'Poor Will,' he chuckled to himself, seeing in his minds' eye, Wills' attempts to calm both his wife and Jack down, and barely escaping unscathed. Jack took a deep breath, opened the door, and peered around, making sure Maddy was nowhere in sight.
'S'all right Cap'n, she's gone.' Jack looked at the cook Tom and grinned.
'So it's safe to come out then?' Jack winked at Tom, then made his way to the deck, where the crew were hard at work, making ready to dock. 'Mr Gibbs, I'll take the wheel,' the older man yielded to wheel to Jack. He enjoyed the rhythm of the sea, through the movement of the wheel, and was just losing himself in a daydream involving treasure, copious amounts of rum and a bevy of whores, when Maddy appeared on deck. The crew collectively drew breath, waiting for the next round.
'Jack.' Maddy walked over to him. Jack looked pointedly away to the horizon. 'Jack, I'm sorry.' Jack's eyebrows raised slowly and he turned to face Madalene.
'Sorry, what was that luv?' Jack was determined to milk this for all it was worth.
'I'm sorry, you were right, I wouldn't be able to make a life for myself on land.'
'Hmmm...' Jack was enjoying himself immensely. 'So yer willing to do as yer told are ya?'
'Within reason, yes,' came the frosty reply.
'All right luv, ya go down to the galley later an' help Tom with preparing dinner. It's the last solid meal most of us'll have for a few days, once we hit Santo Domingo.'
'Why? Surely there are places to eat there?' Maddy was puzzled by what Jack was on about. The crew roared with laughter.
'Yes Madalene, there are plenty of place to eat in Santo Domingo, but there are even more places to drink,' Jack grinned at her. Maddy rolled her eyes at him.
'Is that all you think about Captain?' Realizing too late, that she'd left herself wide open for the reply she knew was coming.
'Nah, not all I think about luv,' he leered at her.
Maddy sighed. 'I give up', she thought to herself and walked to the side of the Pearl, watching as the port of Santo Domingo loomed closer. She felt the presence of someone beside her and looked. It was Daniel, who leaned on the side and pointed out some porpoises to her. Maddy smiled, the smile turning to one of sadness, as she remembered the porpoises she'd seen not a few days ago, but in another lifetime. Maddy was determined not to cry again, so turned to Daniel. 'Have you finished your work?'
'No Miss Maddy, but the Captain don't like to work me too hard, so I has a break every now and then.'
'I see.' Madalene was surprised at this caring side of Jack. 'Should you be working at all, at your age?' Daniel looked puzzled.
'He's older than I was, when I was put to sea,' came Jacks' voice from the helm. The crew looked around in amazement. They'd never heard Jack talk about his life to anyone, let alone a strange woman they'd only picked up a few days ago.
'How old were you then?' Maddy was intrigued. She guessed by the reaction of the crew, that they were too.
'Me? I was 7 when me old lady gave me up to the Captain of a merchant vessel.'
'Why did she give you up?'
Jack was beginning to regret saying anything now. 'Family matters,' the tone in his voice told Maddy not to press further. 'Daniel, I've forgotten the way to the galley, could you show me please?' She felt it was time to make an exit.
'Sure Miss Maddy', Daniel took her hand, and led her down the stairs and along to the galley.
'Thank you Daniel' Maddy smiled at him, she never had anything to do with kids in her old life, but felt a soft spot for this lad. 'Tom, Jack sent me down to help you prepare dinner.'
'Righto Maddy. If yer can peel them spuds for me, I'd be much obliged.' Maddy looked at the large mound of potatoes to peel and groan inwardly, then set to work.
***************
'We're here?' Maddy was surprised, she hadn't felt the ship stop.
'Jacks' the best Cap'n and sailor I've ever served under, he can do things with this ship, that no-one else would consider.' Tom smiled down at Maddy.
'No-one in their right mind you mean,' Maddy winked at Tom, who grinned back at her.
'You've got the measure of him mighty quick Miss. Now on with you, or you'll miss the sights.'
Maddy hurried out of the galley and along the corridor, hoping she could remember the way to the deck. She met Eb on the way, and followed his lead, taking in the sea air once she reached the deck. It had been stuffy down below, and Maddy felt her head starting to pound. Jack was striding around the deck, issuing orders to various crewmen. He was wearing a sword belt, his tatty trousers had been replaced by a pair of not so tatty one's, and he'd got a white shirt on, that looked spotless. Over all this, was his battered coat, that reeked of rum. Maddy walked over to him, smiling, to Jacks' relief. 'So, when are we going ashore Jack?' she asked, looking forward to putting her feet on land again.
'You're not going ashore Madalene. I told ya, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, and I have important business to attend to, so ya can stay here an' help Tom in the galley.'
Maddy groaned. 'Please Jack, I need to go ashore, I'll be good, I'll do as I'm told, but please, I've been at sea..' Maddy grinned at him, 'I've been at sea 300 years.'
Jack laughed, feeling tempted to let her come, but remembered all the whores he was going to enjoy the company of. 'Nah luv, next time we dock, I promise yer can go ashore then, but not this time.'
Maddy turned away from him, tears burning in her eyes. She walked dejectedly back to the galley.
***************
The crew returned 2 days later, but a day earlier than expected. Jack looked furious. 'Make ready to sail,' he snarled before disappearing to his cabin. There had been rumours of a map that lead to some treasure, but it had been stolen the week before they arrived, by Jacks greatest pirate adversary, Paul Burns, captain of a ship called The Chinaman, who had been in the British Navy, but turned renegade after he'd been (in his opinion) unfairly punished. Jack thought about trying to catch up with Burns, and taking the map by force, but decided, grudgingly that Burns was too far away to be caught, and was too good a pirate to be taken by surprise by him. Not only had he not got the map, Jack hadn't enjoyed the company of the whores as much as he'd hoped, finding his mind drifting back to Madalene time and time again. Jack took a large swig of rum and kicked off his boots. Mr Gibbs could see to the ship, all Jack wanted to do was get as drunk as possible, as quickly as possible. He sighed at the sound of a knock on the door. 'Come in,' he took another swig of rum and looked up to see Maddy enter the room.
'I wondered if you wanted anything to eat Jack?' Maddy stood in the doorway, not sure whether she should enter the cabin or not.
'No, I'm not hungry,' Jack growled at her. Maddy backed out of the cabin and shut the door firmly behind her. 'Shit! Why does she make me so-o-o- o', Jack struggled to find the right word, 'Arrrgh!' He took another swig of rum, realised the bottle was empty and hurled it against the wall.
Authors notes
I took the idea for a boy on board ship from Master & Commander. I get the feeling Jack has been at sea all his life, and needed Daniel in, to incorporate Jacks story. You'll find out why his mother put him to sea in a later chapter, so you'll just have to carry on reading!