Free A New Day by Beryl Matthews Page A

right – more than all right. Hanna’s got friends who are sticking up for her, and they’ve helped her to deal with him.’
    ‘That’s good news.’ Frank refilled their mugs. ‘Who’s been helping her?’
    ‘The woman she works for – Mrs Harcourt, and a friend of hers who is a lawyer and working at the council offices. Rose Freeman’s her name. She’s sorted out the orphanage and had Talbot blacklisted so he can never take another kid into his home.’
    Bill tipped his head back and laughed. ‘If Rose Freeman is involved then you’ve got nothing to worry about.’
    ‘You know her?’
    ‘I only met her once, but my mother knew her when she worked for the council. That was a few years ago now, but I doubt she’s changed much. She’s the kind of woman once seen never forgotten. You and your sister won’t have any more trouble, lad.’
    Intrigued, Jack asked, ‘What’s she like?’
    ‘Six feet tall, black hair, impressive and absolutely beautiful. She gets things done, and won’t tolerate injustice of any kind. Your sister’s employer did the right thing by going to her.’
    ‘That’s a relief to know.’ Jack nodded and put the letters back in their envelopes.
    Bill picked up the drawing. ‘Let’s find a place by your bunk for this.’
    Life settled into a busy routine while at sea. Time, and even days of the week merged together, where the only view was the ever-changing sea. Jack loved it, recording every moment of his day as Hanna had suggested for her to read one day.
    He sat at the table in the mess, hungry as usual. ‘What we got, Frank?’
    ‘Steak and kidney pudding.’
    ‘Lovely, my favourite. I’m ready for it.’
    Frank laughed and dished up a generous helping. ‘You’re always hungry. There will be seconds, if you want it? Though why I ask such a daft question I don’t know.’
    Bill joined them. ‘Your cooking’s done the lad a power of good, Frank. He was too scrawny when he joined us, but look at him now. He’s filled out nicely.’
    Grinning, Jack continued to tuck into his meal. ‘I think I’ve grown taller as well. My trousers are a bit on the short side now. If Hanna was here she could alter them for me.’
    ‘All sailors can sew. We’ll teach you how to do things for yourself.’
    ‘You’re joking, Frank.’
    ‘No I’m not. How do you think we manage when we’re at sea for weeks?’
    Everyone round the table was nodding, so Jack pulled a face. ‘In that case I’d better learn, I suppose. Can I have some more steak pudding, Frank?’
    Jack was just wiping his plate clean for the second time when silence fell on the mess, everyone listening intently. ‘Why have we slowed down, Bill?’
    ‘Don’t know.’ He stood up and strode out.
    Fifteen minutes later he was back. ‘Engine trouble, but the engineers think they can fix it. We’ll have to stop for a while so they can make repairs.’
    ‘What happens if they can’t fix it?’ Jack wanted to know.
    ‘Then we radio for help, lad.’ Bill smiled. ‘But don’t worry, no captain likes to do that, and the owners like it even less. It can cost money, but we’ve got some clever engineers on board. If it can be repaired they’ll do it.’
    ‘Can you swim, Jack?’ one of the men asked.
    He nodded, looking puzzled.
    ‘In that case you can get out and give us a push if we need it.’
    Everyone in the mess roared with laughter, including Jack. ‘I might need a bit of help to do that. It would be a job for more than one person.’
    Chuckling, Frank poured more tea for those who wanted it, and winked at Jack as the engines fell silent.
    It was an eerie feeling being on a silent ship, but it was a new experience for Jack, so when he had finished his allotted work for the day he went up on deck. He leaned on the rail and gazed at the sea – something he never got tired of doing. They were miles and miles away from England now, and he couldn’t remember ever feeling so fit and content. Never in his life had he