Usual disclaimers and you know what – I hate them as much as ever :(
KK, well someone's got to like the girl, haven't they! :D
Lady Skywalker, don't worry you'll get more of the supporting characters soon.
Sakhara, I do try not to put 'modern' phrases in, and I took your words on board, but decided I didn't really need any more of Geoffrey Bowne in this chapter. He is named in tribute to Geoffrey Rush, who created my second favourite character in the film!
Hilary, your prize is in the mail :pThanks for your help Lin XX
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Chapter 52The sound of voices from the open drawing room window stilled his feet and he crept along the path, flattening himself against the wall as he listened to the old man talking to two others. He frowned on hearing one voice, then his eyes widened in astonishment as he recognised it. Two more voices joined in, both women's voices, one of which was Rebecca's. He smiled with relief, knowing that she was safely home again and that her father would gain renewed strength from her return. He stood there for an hour, maybe more, listening to the conversation within, his mind whirring all the time.
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'Well mate, it's been a pleasure,' Jack stood and extended his hand once more, to Geoffrey Bowne. 'We'll drop by before we go.'
'Thank you Sparrow, I'm sorry I cannot recompense you for your troubles.' Bowne indicated for Rebecca to show their guests out and watched with a hard look as his visitors departed, then smiled, knowing that now that he could catch up with his daughter properly.
'Right, let's go an' find ourselves an inn, I'm fair gasping.' Jack clutched his throat theatrically, tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.
'If you don't mind, I think I'll take a walk into town and see if I can find somewhere to stay, I'm not in the mood to sit and watch you two drink yourselves stupid.'
'Aye luv, but be careful, savvy? Meet ya back at t'Pearl at second dog watch.' Jack kissed his wife and sent her on her way, before following Eb into a nearby tavern.
Maddy walked slowly along the street, her legs still not quite used to being on firm ground again, but she was glad to have some time alone. It was a rare thing on board ship and she relished her own company, even if it was for a short while. Maddy frowned as she got the feeling of eyes on her back, but when she looked over her shoulder, there was no one there. She shrugged mentally, putting it down to being in a strange place and carried on her way, towards the town.
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'Oh, I'm sorry,' Maddy apologised as she bumped into a man as she exited a shop. She was taken aback when she looked at the man's face, blushing when she realised he'd noticed her surprise. 'Please forgive me, you seem somewhat familiar.' Maddy smiled at the strange, but known face, wondering where she'd seen him before.
'Sorry Madam, but we've never met, to my knowledge.' The man smiled politely at Maddy, before carrying on his way, he then turned and glanced at her departing figure, waiting to see if she looked back and when she didn't, he followed her, checking that his knife was easy to reach.
Maddy turned into an alleyway that led to the docks, speeding up her pace in the process. Although she was able to take care of herself, she still preferred not to use alleys alone, feeling safer if Jack or one of the men were with her. Maddy tensed as she heard footsteps behind her and fought the urge to look around. She tried to increase her pace without it being obvious, but the footsteps got quicker and louder as whoever was behind her got closer. Maddy broke into a trot, then a run and was nearly at the end of the alley when a hand clamped over her mouth and a knife pressed into her throat
'Now Madam, if you keep quiet there won't be any need to hurt you, will there?' Maddy recognised the voice as belonging to the man she'd bumped into and she wracked her mind, trying to place where she'd seen him before. He turned her around so she was facing him, and she took the chance to look at him more carefully. His face showed that he'd had a tough life, lines furrowing his brow and his expression was hard, like a man not used to smiling or laughing.
'What do you want? I don't have much in the way of coins I'm afraid.' Maddy's voice was even, which impressed the man.
'It's not coins I'll be wanting M'lady, nor your body. Your name's Sparrow I believe? Would ya be related to Jack Sparrow by any chance?'
Maddy's hesitated, wondering how the hell this man knew her name, but eventually nodded. There was nothing to gain by antagonising him. 'I'll not take you to him though. If you have business with my husband, then you'll have to arrange to meet him, although he won't be very impressed to learn that you held a knife to my throat.'
The man chuckled, a harsh, humourless sound as he regarded Maddy, his eyes glinting dangerously, then he turned Maddy back round and pushed her towards the end of the alley, 'You will be taking me to see him dear.' Maddy tensed as she felt the sharp point of the knife jab in to the small of her back and decided compliance might be the best option for now.
'How do you know Jack?' Maddy glanced back at the man, who scowled at her and pushed her again.
'None o'your business dear, although you'll find out soon enough when he sees me.'
'He's not on board at present and do you honestly think he'll want to talk to you after you threatened me? If you've got any sense, you'll stay well clear of Jack, if you value your life anyway.'
The man laughed again, a real belly laugh that sent shivers down Maddy's spine for some reason. 'My life ain't worth squat anyway dear, might as well end it facing Sparrow once more.' He shoved Maddy into a boat and made her row, pointing the knife at her face.
'Who the hell is he?' Maddy wondered to herself. 'I seem to know him so well.' She decided to risk a question. 'What's your name?'
'Did you never hear? Curiosity killed the cat. Now keep rowing and shut up, savvy?'
Maddy's eyebrows shot up at the use of the word and she wondered how well this man knew Jack. Years of working on The Pearl had given Maddy more strength than most women and she made good time back to the ship, mooring the boat to a rope hanging from the side. 'Do you want me to go first or you?'
'I'll go first, but any funny business and whoever is nearest to me on the deck, gets it.' He grabbed a rope and climbed up, gripping his knife between his teeth and looking round every now and then to make sure Maddy was following.
The deck was deserted, much to the man's relief and Maddy's dismay. He grabbed her arm and hauled her over to the stairs that led to her and Jack's cabin, shoving her inside when they reached it. Maddy's heart plummeted as she heard the key turn in the lock, then she frowned, wondering how the men knew the way to Jack's cabin in the first place.
'W-what do you want with Jack?'
'It's personal Mrs. Sparrow.' He saw the fear in Maddy's eyes and gave a harsh laugh. 'Don't worry dear, I'll not force meself on ya.' He walked over to Jack's chair and sat in it, looking very at home as he put his feet on the table. 'Sit down, and no funny business or I'll tie you up, savvy?'
Maddy nodded mutely and sat opposite the man, her hand trying to reach the knife she had strapped to her leg, but the full skirt of the dress hindered her, so she sat back and waited, and waited. It was getting dark by the time she heard the arrival of the boat, which she hoped contained Jack and Eb. For it to contain Tom and some of the others as well would be too much to hope for.
'Well, it looks like he's back. Shall we?' He stood and waited for Maddy to walk to the door, pressing the knife in her back as he unlocked it. 'No shouting out now,' he reminded her.
They walked up the stairs and as Maddy reached the top one, he grabbed her from behind, holding the knife to her throat.
'What the hell is going on?' Jack looked at Maddy's panic stricken face, then noticed the knife and reached for his pistol, trying to get a good look at the man holding his wife hostage, but he had hidden his face behind Maddy.
'Just thought I'd pop in and say hello, ya know, for old times sake Jack.' He moved his head around and looked at Jack, who was standing with his hands to the hilt of both his sword and pistol, legs splayed apart.
Jack's face grew whiter than Maddy had ever seen and his mouth gaped open. 'Jesus Christ!' Jack's hands dropped to his side and he stood and stared for an age. 'How the….?'