Usual disclaimers… sigh!

Woohoo for Johnny's second Oscar nomination!

Back with Bessie for this chapter… when will a reunion happen?

Chapter 21 – Gifts

Bessie sighed heavily, rubbing her back as the weight of her pregnancy threatened to overwhelm her. Although she was only six months gone, the burden was becoming unbearable. Already she was as large as she had been when Emily had been born, and she feared that, yet again, she was carrying twins. It was mid-afternoon and she had just finished her lunch-time job at one of the taverns – clearing tables and washing up in the kitchens.

"Bessie!" a voice cried.

She paused, turning, smiling as she saw Mark Taunton walking towards her. He had managed to find employment on a ship that sailed between Hamilton and the Americas, and he was often in town. He grinned, embracing her.

"Mark," she smiled tiredly. "I didn't know you were back…"

"Just returned this morning," he grinned. "Any chance of a home-cooked meal if I add to the pot?" he asked hopefully.

"You will have to," she said tiredly. "The rent is due today an' we've no meat until I get paid…"

"Well I just have," he smiled. "So let me buy and you can cook… deal?"

"We have an accord," she smiled, slipping without thought into pirate-speak. Oliver and Mark often stopped by to visit her, as did a number of the other survivors, although only Mark knew her for who she really was. She felt more at ease with him, not having to watch her tongue. Soon, he had purchased a number of fat chickens and enough vegetables for a large pot of stew.

He walked back with her to the small two-roomed cottage that she rented, not having enough money to buy a home following the loss of the Jolly Maid. Indeed, if it had not been for her pearl necklace, things would have been far worse. The cross that Jack had given her now hung about her neck on a blue ribbon and most of the pearls had been bartered for things that she and the children had needed. Now only four remained, hoarded for when things got worse… not that she could envisage it. Things were bad enough already.

"Have you thought on my offer?" Mark ventured, pausing as they reached the door.

Bessie smiled at him sadly. "You are too kind, Mark," she sighed. "But I am not ready to look for another husband… and I do not know yet if I even want one."

"I know I cannot measure up to him," Mark said wryly. "But perhaps… one day…" She shook her head and he shrugged. "Well, you cannot blame a man for trying," he smiled. "If friendship and a hearty meal is all you are offering, I'll not press for more."

"Thank you, Mark," she said softly, "for understanding…"

"You're welcome," he replied, opening the door for her and standing aside to allow her to enter first. He smiled as a chorus of "Uncle Mark!" echoed from within. Although he realised Bessie would never be more than a good friend to him, he always felt at home with her and the family – and there was always the hope that one day she might change her mind. "Ah," he chuckled. "Here's my favourite group of ruffians!" He handed Bessie the chickens and reached into the small sack he had been carrying. "I wonder what I've got in here…" he teased.

"Presents!" Tabitha cried excitedly, climbing up onto one of the chairs in the hope of a better view. "Presents!"

"Do you think you deserve a present?" he smiled.

"No, she doesn't," Jack retorted. "She's a horrid monster!"

"Am not!" she cried, jumping from the chair and landing on her older brother, the weight of her knocking him to the ground.

"Ow, get off Tabby Cat!" he pleaded. "I was only jokin'!"

Mark laughed. "Well, I guess we'll do it by age then, and make this ferocious tiger wait!"

"Want mine now!" she wailed.

"Tabitha!" Bessie chided from the small kitchen area where she was busy plucking the birds. "Mark does not have to bring you presents and you should be grateful when he does."

"Yes, Mama," Tabitha pouted, forming a queue with the rest of the children, pushing her way between John and Frances, poking her tongue out at Jack who smirked at her, taking his place ahead of her.

Mark peered into the sack, drawing forth a number of small packages wrapped in paper. "Mmmm, Pearl first," he grinned, handing the first package to the patiently waiting girl. She grinned excitedly, opening it to reveal a length of pretty blue ribbon with dainty embroidered daisies.

"Mama, look!" she cried, dashing across to show Bessie who smiled at Mark for his thoughtfulness. He smiled back, before turning to the twins. "All right, now which one of you was born first," he teased. "I can never remember…"

"I was," Jack replied.

"Well, just for this once, you'll have to let Hetty go first…" Mark apologised, handing Henrietta a parcel. Squealing, she tore open the paper to reveal another generous length of ribbon, this time green and embroidered with more flowers.

Mark now turned to the two boys who stood before him. "I debated what colour ribbon to get you," he teased, "but decided on these instead…" He drew from the sack two larger items, handing one to Jack and the second one to John. Both boys quickly unwrapped them, looking in surprise at the small wooden swords. Bessie looked at him in surprise. "Well," he shrugged. "There isn't much to do on board when m' watch is done…"

"Thank you," she smiled, surprised that he had made them himself. For a brief moment she wished she could offer him more than friendship, but her grief for Jack was still far too raw within her heart. Almost immediately, the two boys started attacking each other, shouts of "Take that!" rebounded throughout the cottage as they raced from room to room.

"Now me!" Tabitha cried, jumping up and down excitedly. "My turn!" She pouted as Mark handed her a small package of the same size that her sisters had. "I wanted a sword!"

"Tabby!" Bessie barked. "Mind your manners!"

Tabitha looked sulkily at her mother, opening the package to reveal yet another length of ribbon. This time it was yellow and had been embroidered with little cats. "There is an elderly lady in Boston who sells them and I saw that one and thought of you," Mark said, tousling Tabitha's hair. He walked across to where Bessie sat, handing her another three packages. "There's one each for Fanny and Milly," he said, "and one for you…"

"For me?" Bessie looked up at him in surprise, wiping her hands in her apron before taking the packages from him. She opened them to reveal a pink ribbon for Frances and a red one for Emily, both embroidered with flowers. "Thank you," Bessie smiled.

"And your package?" he tempted. Slowly Bessie unwrapped the final parcel, to reveal a creamy coloured ribbon embroidered with small brown birds. "She assured me they were sparrows," he smiled.

Bessie looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you," she sniffed. "It is very kind of you…"

"You're welcome," he assured her as she placed the ribbons safely to one side as she continued to pluck the chickens. "Do you want me to start on the vegetables?" He reached for a knife and then one of the carrots that they had bought, working in companionable silence until a loud knock shattered the peace.

Bessie rose, wiping her hands, and answered the door. "Mister Hatten," she began.

"Do you have your rent?" he sneered, hoping that she could not pay. He had a number of ill-repaired properties that he rented to those that could afford no better, often demanding sexual favours from those that fell behind with their rent. He had increased the rent recently, but still the woman found the money from somewhere.

Bessie reached into the small purse at her waist, drawing forth the few coins she had and handing them to him. "You're short," he grinned.

"I am not," she argued. "That is the rent we agreed!"

"That was last month!" he retorted. "You need another shilling this month!"

"Another…" Bessie looked at him in horror.

"If you can't pay, there are others who can," he threatened.

"Is something the matter, Bessie?" Mark rose from where he had been sitting at the kitchen table.

"Th' rent…" she began.

"I thought it was just you an' th' children livin' here!" Peter Hatten sneered. "It'll cost yer more fer another person!"

"Mark is a friend!" Bessie protested. "He does not live here!"

"That's what they all say," the landlord snorted. "You are a shillin' short an' it'll be an extra shillin' per month for him!"

"But he doesn't live here!" she cried.

"Don't look like that to me," he argued. "Now, two shillings or you and your brats can sleep on the street tonight!"

Mark realised that nothing either he or Bessie could say would persuade this man otherwise, so he reached into his purse, drawing forth the required two shillings. The landlord snatched the money from him, disappointed at being foiled again. He snorted, turning on his heels and stormed down the street.

"I am sorry," Mark apologised. "I would have kept myself hidden if I had known…"

"It was not your fault," she assured him. "He would have found some excuse to rise the rent… you were just convenient."

"And when you can't pay?" he asked.

Bessie looked at him worriedly. "I don't know," she said quietly. "I honestly don't know…"

88888

Reviews?