That night was an awkward one for Anamaria and me. I was already in bed when her watch finished, and I didn't say a word as she slipped out of her coat and breaches and climbed into bed next to me. I would not be the first one to speak.
While I lay there, arms crossed, staring out into the cabin, I felt something stir near my feet – it was Anamaria, placing her toes over mine, the way I had done on my first night, the way that had become out unspoken means of showing comfort and understanding.
"I'm sorry Ana."
"I'm sorry Cathy" We spoke at almost the same time. I laughed:
"You first."
"I'm sorry, you know I wouldn't really have whipped you?"
"I certainly hope not Ana." I replied, with a weak smile. "And I'm sorry I lied. I should have told you." Ana smiled back at me and opened her mouth to reply. "But, you should have told me about what Sparrow was doing, then I wouldn't have been eavesdropping down below."
"Aye."
"You know he can't do it, don't you?" She glanced at me, with that look of reservation in her eyes that drove me to distraction whenever I tried to get her to speak of Sparrow. But this time she signed and relinquished.
"No, he can't do it – Cortez himself couldn't." I pulled close to her under the blanket, enjoying our nighttime confidences once more.
"What will you do? What will he do?"
"Here's the rub. There is the money to pay for the Pearl." News indeed!
"Where?"
"An island what cannot be found, except by those who already know where it is."
"Ana! Don't tease. Not when we were getting along so well!"
"I'm not teasing." Was all she said.
"Well, assuming Sparrow can find this magic island – what's to stop him taking the treasure?"
"It doesn't belong to him."
"Oh! Now I know you're teasing. Captain Sparrow won't take treasure because it doesn't belong to him?"
"He won't, je jure en la tombe de ma mère."
"Fine, fine – well, why not?"
"Doesn't hold with the way it was got."
"And how was that?"
"I can't say." I frowned. "I can't Catherine. But you'll see – he'll take it now – what other choice does he have?"
"That's true. How long before the three weeks is up?"
"Four days tomorrow."
"No wonder you're all worried."
"No wonder. Catherine?"
"Yes?"
"I'd really like to sleep now."
The next morning I did not watch Sparrow from behind the glass, as had become my habit, but screwed up my courage and marched straight into his cabin. My curiosity was too much to be borne.
"Good morning Captain."
"Is it?" He replied, showing no sign of shock as I sat myself down opposite him. He was engrossed in removing the top of his boiled eggs – with his cutlass.
"Well no, it is hot and uncomfortable, but talk of the weather will keep."
"Undoubtedly." There was a sharp swish, as one egg was mercilessly decapitated. "Well, if not to talk of the weather – may I trouble you to ask what you want?" Sparrow did not look up, he was still in the business of executing his breakfast. A most strange man.
"Where do we sail?"
"To wealth and glory."
"Not to an island, then?" Sparrow looked up at that and eyed me coolly, but did not reply. "An island that cannot be found, except by those…."
"Alright, alright missy." He cut in, waving his arms for silence. "And what have you to say on the matter?"
"It's true then?"
"True?" Sparrow stood, and took a swig from the flagon that habitually stood at his breakfast table before making his way towards me. I didn't take to him towering over me, so I stood to face him. For the first time I noticed we were precisely the same height. When he spoke I could smell the rum. "Aye love, it's true." His eyes were sad and wild. "There are a great many things in this world that you cannot even imagine, and they are all true, and much more besides." His voice was low, and he spoke with such passion and force of conviction, for a moment I felt all but lost in his dark, angry eyes.
The moment passed, and I could feel that accursed blush rising to my cheeks.
"Good day to you then, Captain." Was all I could utter, as I stumbled over my chair in my haste to leave the cabin.
On deck the hot air hit me like a solid thing. The sails hung slack, and the crew milled about deck, aimless. I made my way to the quarterdeck, where Anamaria was at the helm. There was a slight gasp of wind up here, and for a moment I leaned against the rail, catching my breath and feeling my face cool.
On deck the men were hanging out the lanteen sails, desperately trying to catch the evasive breeze from any direction.
"Are you worried about the lack of wind?" I asked Anamaria.
"No I'm not" Was her distracted reply. Eyes fixed on the distant horizon she gestured for me to stand next to her. "You see those." I looked down the sightline of her arm.
"There just a few clouds Ana. Anyway, it's not even June. You worry too much."
"Hurmph" was her only reply.
"Not even June yet." I repeated confidently, closing my eyes and leaning back on the gunwale..