Hannah looked out onto the dock. She didn't see her uncle anywhere. She slowly guided her bag down the gang plank and walked along the dock towards the shore. When she reached another larger dock she climbed up on a box to see over the crowd of merchants, sailors, and passengers. She turned her head left and right looking for her uncle. Some one yelled down the dock and she turned her head, just in time to see a gull come diving at her head.
she yelled as she tried to duck. She lost her balance and fell, landing on top of her bag. Better than in the water, I guess she sighed to herself.
Guess so said a voice behind her. Hannah turned and looked up into the face of a tall, lanky, aging man with white hair and a handsome smile.
Uncle Georgie! she cried, taking his outstretched hand and standing up into her uncles warm embrace.
Mithros, how you've grown lass. Let me have a look at yeh. The man pulled her away and she turned slowly around. You look just like your mother, you know that?
People say that all the time, she chuckled, but I never see the resemblance! The older man laughed and grabbed Hannah's bag.
We best be gettin' back to the Swoop, he said, and I have some things to pick up first he gave her a knowing glance. Meanwhile, tell me about Winks. It's not fair to toy with a lonely man's heart like that.
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I dunno what I am going to do Fred, said Gideon, I just don't know. Mum expects so much from me and so do the kids. I try to work and bring in money and help out around the house, but it's never enough for her. And now, all this business with the stealing and the robbing, I'll never get another job. Why didn't I just apprentice for Mr. Cauldwell and get out while I still could? I can never be a good enough son, I might as well not be in the family.
Oh now, don't talk like that Goody, it's not like your really off thieving'. And your mom knows you ain't. It's hard for her with seven kids and no Pop. I mean, me mum only has five little ones and two fathers, and she's having enough trouble. You just have to keep yourself calm, it could always be worse. Think about yer mum-
Why does everyone always say that? Think about Mother! Mithros knows I've tried hard enough. If I was a noble, I'd be knighted and off at war right now! I could be on a ship, seeing the world or at least learning a useful craft! I'm almost twenty for the Gods' sake, with a decent education and I'm wasting away! Gideon slammed his fist on the bar so hard, his cup bounced over.
Goody, you know-
Don't call me that, you know I hate it when you call me that he said.
his friend said pointedly, you know you love what you're doin'. You've got a gift for cookin' an' yer usin' it. Not like me bummin' around a tavern all day and all night, and not like James, stuck in some apprenticeship for a craft he don't even like. It ain't that bad. Really. Plus Mitsy said that when Venus moves in this month, your bound to meet up with a new and exciting lass. That doesn't sound half-bad now does it?
It would sound better if I knew it were true. Or at least possible. Honestly Fred, I know you love her, but Mitsy isn't the best seer, she doesn't even have the Sight! You know as well as I that all her predictions are a complete load of bu-
Hey, hey, hey now. If you had a lass, I wouldn't be talkin bout her like that my friend. And she's made some good predictions! What about the storms? An' that tragic loss' she was talkin' about last week? Huh? Fred finished tying his long red hair back into a ponytail.
Oh please. The baker's cat hit by his master's own bread cart. Yes, how tragic. What ever will we do without our yowling flea-bitten companion? Gideon shook his head and smiled ruefully. You really love her don't you Fred? He looked up at his friend who nodded vigorously and put his hand on his chest.
With all my heart an' soul. Gideon reached over the bar counter and slapped his friend in the back of the head. Ow! That hurt!
Good, put some sense back into that mushy brain of yours. Now, get me another round of cranberry juice, you big lovable ogre.