Free ROCKED BY THE WAVES by Alisa Grey Page A

were happy, because we were together. He protected me with his body and I felt comfortable. I liked the way his head touched my cheek. I could feel him breathing.
    He raised his head and looked into my eyes. He was trying to guess what I was thinking about.
    He kissed me and we made love. It was true love and I knew he really cared for me. I was free and I was with him. It was a perfect moment.
    When we woke up, we heard the sailors screaming and getting ready to leave. Le Havre was an important harbor, so many ships stopped there. I looked out of the window: it was packed with people. Some of them were shouting, others were sleeping on the ground. Seagulls kept playing in the water, while many women were trying to sell their own bodies in order to make ends meet.
    The air smelt bad. It was a mixture between fish, salt, oil and rotten fruit. It was topped with the dirt of those people. I felt like I was part of that life; I was used to seeing such poverty, but I was also used to coming back home at the end of the day. That very moment, I felt as if I were one of them.
    Some of the people willing to leave had bought their tickets from tricksters. They had been told that in Nova Scotia everything would have been easier for them, that it was a wealthy country and that they would become rich soon. The truth was many people would have been sent back to England as soon as they had gotten to Nova Scotia.
    We were waiting on the quayside. It was raining. Sam was hugging me.
    «Come on, we’re going to go shopping today. And we’ll also need to check on our new documents».
    I kissed him. Around us, many young women were trying to catch Sam’s attention. Some of them were especially regardless towards me.
    «Sam... how did you get to know this guesthouse? Just out of curiosity», I was jealous.
    He laughed. «I’ve been told to come here. It’s a safe place. And I had never been here before, I swear. I hope your husband won’t look for you here».
    He smiled at me and help my hand.
    The streets around us were narrow and dark. They smelt bad, just like the harbor.
    «Come on, we need to have breakfast».
    I follow him.
    «You know, our tickets included a night’s stay in that guesthouse. Come on, we must collect our tickets and then we’re going to go have breakfast. We’ll also need to go shopping, you know».
    «Where do we need to collect our tickets?»
    «Somewhere safe. I know someone...»
    We entered a small building. We took the stairs and then stopped in front of a door. I looked at the inside. It was very small, sort of a two-room apartment.
    The walls must have been white when the house was built. Now they were dirty and covered with pictures. Were those Scottish views?
    We entered the main room. A bunch of men were writing. They spoke a language I didn’t understand. They saw Sam and – I believe – they welcomed him.
    A tall red-haired man came to us. He looked at me with his huge green eyes, then he greeted Sam. His hair was long and tied in a tail. He said something to Sam, which went red. I didn’t understand what had just happened, so I asked.
    «What did he just say?»
    Sam looked at me. He was embarrassed and avoided the question.
    «Our papers are ready. We must pay for them and then we shall go».
    We went to the desk where the other men were sitting. They all raised their heads to look at me.
    «You must sign here, Claire».
    I read them. I was Claire Campbell and I was married to Samuel Campbell. I signed using my new signature, and so did Sam. We paid and took the papers.
    I heard those men screaming as I left the room.
    «What did they say? Sam... tell me».
    «Nothing... they just said you’re very charming. They’re Scottish and, well... they say things their way».
    I laughed. «Come on, let’s go get some breakfast. And, please, don’t hold my hand like that. I’ll need it for the future».
    «Oh, I’m sorry».
    We got to the city centre and stopped in front of a bakery. We got in and Sam