Chapter 18

"Martha?" Carolyn asked, a little tentatively. She was sitting at the kitchen table and had been staring at the same page in the newspaper for the last few minutes without actually reading a word of it.

"Mmmmm," the older woman hummed in response.

"Can I…ask a favour, please?"

"Of course," Martha said, turning around to look at her, confused at her cautious tone.

"But you don't have to, if you don't want to, that is," Carolyn added.

"Well, why don't you tell me what it is, first."

"Would you…that is…would it be alright if you called me Carolyn, rather than Mrs. Muir?" Carolyn asked.

"Call you Carolyn?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Is that all?" Martha smiled in relief. "From the way you were talking I was worried it was something serious."

"You'd think it was from Claymore's reaction," Carolyn frowned as she muttered.

"What's that?"

"Nothing," she said. "So…would that be alright? We've known each other for a long time and…"

"Alright, no need to count the years," Martha held up a hand. "I don't mind at all," she assured her.

"Thank you," Carolyn smiled, relieved.

"Any particular reason why?"

"Not as such," she shrugged.

"Uh-huh," Martha said, not at all convinced. "Well, if you say so. Might take a bit of getting used to, mind. Doesn't seem respectful somehow, but don't mind me, I'll come around."

"Not respectful?"

"Well, no, but times have changed," she shrugged. "I'm not exactly down with the children these days, as they say, but I don't see why I can't give it a try. We don't exactly stand on ceremony here, at least I hope not or you should have fired me a long time ago."

Carolyn let out a relieved laugh and smiled. "Good," she nodded and picked up the newspaper again.

"Well, I'll be," Martha said, pausing with a hand on her hip. "When on earth did you take off your wedding ring?" she asked.

"Oh," Carolyn looked down at her hand and rubbed at her fingers. "Recently. Very recently. I figured it was about time."

"Long overdue, I'd say," Martha said, boldly.

"Hmmm," she hummed thoughtfully.

"Is that what started all this?"

"All what?"

"Well, the first name business, I mean. You calling the captain 'Daniel' and asking to be called 'Carolyn'. First names are one thing, but getting rid of the ring and…"

"How did you know I got rid of it?"

"You did?" Martha stared at it. "I only meant it as a figure of speech. I thought you'd have hidden it in a drawer…or in the dry wall, maybe."

"No, I erm," Carolyn pursed her lip. "I threw it into the sea," she admitted quietly.

"Hah!" the older woman chortled and bent over at the waist she was laughing so much. "You threw it in onto the…" she managed to speak through her laughter. "Fantastic!" she exclaimed.

"You don't think it was a mistake?" Carolyn asked.

"No, I certainly don't," Martha said, and slowly she stopped laughing and turned her attention back to the dishes. "Why, do you?" she asked.

"No, not at all," Carolyn said. "It was my idea. Only he erm…Daniel suggested that I return it to Bobby's parents."

"What's it got to do with them?" Martha asked, puzzled

"My thoughts precisely."

"I'm surprised tossing it overboard wasn't his idea in the first place. The old salt meddles in everything else, so why not this," Martha remarked.

"I resent that accusation, madam," the Captain appeared, sitting in one of the chairs at the table, perfectly relaxed.

"Oh, well, good morning to you too, Captain," Martha said.

"Yes, good morning," he said, dismissively. "Now, what on earth have I done to warrant such insults? I should like it noted, before another slur against my good name is spoken, that I do not meddle. I offer advice. I counsel. I give orders. But meddle? Never. That is the domain of women," he said.

"Right," Martha said, dryly. "My mistake," she added.

"So you apologise?" he prompted her, expectantly.

"Anything for a quiet life," she rolled her eyes. "Who knew ghosts could be so sensitive," she drawled.

"Apology accepted," he inclined his head.

"Wonderful, we're all friends again," Carolyn said.

"Fantastic," Martha added. "Here, get that down you, it'll do you some good," she said, bringing over the silver coffee pot and placing a cup and saucer for the Captain to use.

"I doubt that very much," he replied, dryly. Nonetheless, he poured himself a cup and drank it with a satisfied smile. "Now, before my name was taken in vain, to what were you referring?" he asked.

"My erm…wedding ring," Carolyn answered.

"Ah," he nodded, putting his cup gently down onto the saucer. "Well, it was nothing at all to do with me. Surely you told Martha that while you were gossiping," he replied.

"She did. I just couldn't believe it," Martha said. "Well, this house isn't going to clean itself," she added, picking up her old feather duster. "I'd better make a start. But it you want any help throwing anything else overboard, Mrs…I mean, Carolyn, I'd be happy to help," she added with a smile.

"Thank you, Martha, you'll be the first one I call," Carolyn assured her and the older woman left, happily.