Free Forgotten Fragrance by Tea Cooper

time to plan his next move.
    Henk flicked his pistol at Christian. ‘Take yourself down there. Catz, Bristol. Go with him. Throw him in the forehold and make sure it’s fastened tight.’
    Stepping up to the wheel Henk elbowed him aside. Bristol’s hands clamped down on Christian’s arms and dragged him along the deck to the hatchway. With Bristol’s pistol digging in his ribs Christian slipped down the ladder and into the claustrophobic confines of the small hold below the galley.
    â€˜Bristol.’
    â€˜Capt’n.’
    â€˜There’s no need to tie me up. There’s nowhere I can go.’
    â€˜Goin’ to tie you up. It’s what Henk said. Give us your wrists.’
    For a moment Christian debated the idea of resisting, taking Bristol out and returning to the deck to challenge the crew. The wily sailor was onto him in a moment. Pain shot through him as Bristol wrenched his arm up his back and pulled him close. ‘Don’t even think about it otherwise I’m going to have to knock you out,’ he hissed into his ear.
    The butt of the pistol grazed his head.
    â€˜Come on man, think about it. If I’m knocked senseless how’s it going to look when the port authorities demand to see me. Do you want to go down for mutiny? It’s a hanging offence.’
    â€˜You get down there and keep quiet. I’m tying you up to make sure. I’ll leave you the lamp.’
    Christian flexed his muscles as the rope tightened around his wrists, hoping to allow for some slack, enough to give him something to work with. Then he’d attract the attention of one of the blackbirds on the other side of the bulkhead. If he could get Henk up on deck one-on-one he’d have a better chance of bringing the rest of the crew around.
    Crouching inside the hatch Charlotte’s eyes acclimatised to the darkness. The sleeping bodies of the girls, curled together two to a hammock, were swaying with the motion of the ship. When she’d squatted down underneath the stepladder she’d thought the crew would spot her, maybe even cry out, but they’d all been focussed on Henk and his bid for control. Each of Henk’s foul threats and the crew’s belligerence terrified her. Once Christian was dragged away it had gone quiet.
    The stinking pirate, Henk, bullied every member of the crew; they all suffered from his harsh tongue and flying backhanders yet he wielded considerable power amongst them. Why, she couldn’t fathom. Forced to choose between their captain and Henk they followed more from fear or the desire for money than any sense of commitment.
    Straining her ears to pick up any sounds to indicate Christian’s fate absorbed her, and when cool thin fingers covered her mouth she lurched away and slammed her head against the bulkhead.
    â€˜Sssh! Be calm.’
    Sick and dizzy from the stabbing pain in her skull, Charlotte turned and gazed into Mina’s bright eyes. She lifted Mina’s hand from her mouth.
    â€˜Mina!’ she whispered, relief coursing through her.
    Clasping her hand Mina tugged her down the ladder. She followed, crouching low, taking care not to crash her head again. Mina led her into the centre of the hold. The hammocks swung empty and an array of dark faces peered at her in the gloom.
    â€˜This way.’ Mina crooked her finger.
    Charlotte followed her past the hammocks and the rusty cage that so recently had been the girls’ prison, into the deep recesses of the hold. Rows of barrels lay roped together, creating a barrier around the hull. She ran her fingers along them until Mina grabbed her hand once more and led her into a narrow walkway. Turning to one side she squeezed after Mina into the tapered space and edged her way to the hull. Rancid oil and damp seawater coated her tongue and tendrils of fear clutched at her stomach. They were below the waterline.
    For an eternity she followed Mina, edging around the curved timbers