Usual disclaimers... sob!

Three chapters today to make up for no update earlier in the week – between the funeral and Mul being too tired to edit we couldn't do any more.

Ack! Section spacers aren't working again.... Re-done with 8's in the hope that it works!

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Chapter 22 - At Bessie's Home

Jacob Bone followed Bessie through the back streets of Port Royal to Will's smithy near to the docks. Carefully she pushed the door open, blinking in the dim light. She had changed into her dress once they had reached the shore and carried the bundle of men's clothes under her arm tied in the blue bandana.

"Mind the drop!" Will called urgently, relieved when she stopped just on the edge of the deep step. He put down the latch that he was working on and walked quickly forwards. "Nice to see you safely back Bessie," he smiled, offering her a hand down to him. "Are you alone?" He looked up sharply as Jacob entered, his hand reaching for one of the nearby swords on a rack.

"Jack sent one of the crew to keep me safe," she smiled. "Just in case Hughes tries again..." She looked at him worriedly. "The Dauntless was chasing him when we left..."

"Bones," Will nodded, recognising the man. He was reassured that Jack had sent one of his most senior and able crew. "He'll be alright Bessie - Jack can outrun that ship any day!"

"True Will," Jacob smiled. "If you've got Bessie's key then we'll be heading home - she's had a long walk into town..."

Will reached within his waistcoat pocket, withdrawing the key and handing it to Bessie. "Elizabeth will probably pop in to see you later."

"We'll listen out for her," Bessie said quietly, accepting his assistance back up the step. "I need to buy some food in the market but then I will be heading straight home."

"Keep your door locked," Will warned.

"I will," Bessie smiled, walking back out into the sunshine and heading for the market, buying fresh milk and enough food for their evening meal. Once inside she locked the door, fending off an enthusiastic greeting from Daffodil as she opened the windows wide.

Jacob Bones looked around the small rooms, surprised at how basic they were. "Have you lived here long?" he asked.

"Not long," she smiled, putting a small bunch of flowers in a battered vase as Daffodil weaved around her feet. "Shoo you damned cat!" she cursed, lifting her up onto the kitchen windowsill and opening the window. "Go annoy somebody else!" She watched in relief as the cat jumped down into the street, sauntering off towards the docks.

Jacob put his bedroll down behind the door and watched as Bessie started to put the food away, storing it in the various cupboards in the small kitchen area. He noticed a bottle of rum in one of the cupboards, teeth marks on the cork. "Did the Captain visit often?" he asked.

"Often enough," Bessie sighed as she reached in a drawer for a knife to peel some vegetables. "But I don't think we should be talking about him..."

"What about you then Bessie?" he pressed, determined to make some conversation. "How did you end up here?"

"I was running away from Jack after he burned down my last home, leaving me with nothing but a cat and his big coat..." she explained, chopping the vegetables as she spoke. "But he followed me here..."

"Aye, the Captain is not one to let a treasure elude him for long," Jacob laughed. He did not consider that she was the Captain's type, being too young, too timid compared with the brash whores that Jack usually could be found with and he fully believed Jack's story that he was simply using Bessie.

"He is wasting his time," Bessie protested. "I don't know where the map is, neither did my mother..."

"Did your father never say?" he frowned. Jack would not be with her if he thought she did not know... she had to know. Perhaps she would tell him? The Captain would reward him well if he found out.

Bessie sighed heavily, putting the knife down as she looked at him. "I last saw my father when I was six years old," she explained. "And if I had of known where the map was I'd have told the first pirate that threatened me... and believe me, there have been many over the years!" she said bitterly.

"I'm sorry..." he began, taken aback by her tone.

"I don't like pirates," she snapped. "They give me nightmares!"

"But you and the Captain..." he began. Bessie silenced him with a look and Jacob turned, quietly looking out of the window to the street below. He cursed his big mouth, realising that he had pressed too far and that she would talk no further on the matter. An awkward silence followed and he was only rescued by a quiet tap on the door.

"Bessie?" Elizabeth's voice sounded through the door. "I am alone..." She had left Billy with his grandfather, realising it would have been thoughtless to have taken him with her, considering all Bessie had been through.

Jacob cautiously opened the door, his pistol cocked as he checked behind her but she breezed through unconcernedly. She smiled, embracing Bessie warmly. "It is good to see you back safely," she smiled. "How is Jack - Will said the Dauntless was chasing him when you left?"

"As well as can be I suppose," Bessie said quietly. "It is not as if I know him, is it?" she added wryly.

Elizabeth smiled reassuringly. "Give him a chance," she said. "He is a good man really - when treasure is not involved..."

Bessie looked at Elizabeth, raising an eyebrow and both women burst out laughing. Jacob tried to look as if he was not listening to their conversation and quietly watched a troop of soldiers marching past on duty. He hoped that Jack would return soon for he felt that watching Bessie was going to be a rather strained duty if she was so reluctant to talk to him.