absolute certainty. The weather is unpredictable. All the signs look good and then something quite unforeseen appears on the horizon and our forecasts go awry.”
“Predictability can be a little dull,” said Lucas.
“There is always a certain attraction in the unexpected.”
“I’m not sure that applies to the weather,” said the Cap tain.
“We’ll shortly be putting into Madeira. You’ll go ashore?”
“Oh, yes,” I cried.
“I’m looking forward to that.”
“It’s a pity we only have one day there,” said Lucas.
“Just long enough to pick up stores. You’ll like the island. You must sample the wine. It’s good.”
Then he left us.
“What plans have you for Madeira?” asked Lucas.
“My parents haven’t said anything yet.”
“I should like to escort you round the place.”
“Oh, thank you. Have you been there before?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“So you will be safe with me.”
It was exhilarating to wake up in the morning and see land. I was on deck early to watch our approach. I could see the green lush island rising out of a pellucid aquamarine-coloured sea. The sun was warm and there was no wind to disturb the water.
My father had a slight cold and was staying on board;
he had plenty to occupy him; and my mother would be with him. They thought it would be an excellent idea if I went ashore with Mr. Lorimer who had kindly offered to take me.
I was content, feeling somewhat guiltily, how much more enjoyable it would be without them. Lucas did not say so, but I felt sure he shared my view.
“Having been here before I shall know something about it,” he said.
“And if there is anything of which I am ignorant-‘ ” Which is most unlikely. “
“We shall discover it together,” he finished.
And on that note we set out.
I drew deep breaths of air which seemed scented with flowers. Indeed, there were flowers everywhere. Stalls were overflowing with brilliantly coloured blossoms, as well as baskets, embroidered bags, shawls and tablecloths and mats.
compamo and I thoi the Professor. I was honoured . and look, it has led to this. So call it a talk. That’s much more cosy. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling it will shock your parents. It’s about gruesome things like curses and tomb robbers. “
“People might enjoy hearing about that sort of thing rather than .. “
“I’m not letting it bother me. If they don’t like it that will be that. So… I refuse to allow preparations to overshadow my pleasure.
It’s the greatest good luck that we are travelling together. “
“It’s certainly pleasant for me.”
“We’re getting maudlin. It’s the wine perhaps. It’s good, isn’t it? We must buy a bottle to show our appreciation of the free sample.”
“I hope all the free samples make it worthwhile.”
“Must do, or they wouldn’t continue with the old custom, would they?
In the meantime it is very pleasant sitting here in this darkish room, on these uncomfortable stools, sipping their excellent Madeira wine.”
Several of our fellow passengers came into the cellar. We called greetings to each other. They all looked as though they were enjoying the day.
Then a young man walked past our table, i “Oh hello,” said Lucas.
The young man paused.
“Oh,” said Lucas, “I thought I knew you.”
The young man stared at Lucas stonily and then I recognized him, which I had not done previously because he was not on this occasion wearing the overalls in which I had always seen him before. He was the young man who swabbed the decks in the morning.
“No,” he said.
“I don’t think …”
“Sorry. I just thought for the moment I’d met you somewhere.”
I smiled and said: “You must have seen each other on board.”
The deck hand had drawn himself up rather tensely and was studying Lucas, I thought, with a hint of uneasiness.
“That must be it,” said Lucas.
The young man passed on and sat at a table in a dark corner of the cellar.
I whispered to Lucas: “He is one of the deck hands.”
“You seem to be acquainted with him.”
“I have met him on several mornings. I go up there to watch the sunrise and he comes round at that time swabbing the decks.”
“He doesn’t look like a deck-swabber.”
“That’s because he’s not in overalls.”
“Well, thanks for enlightening me. The poor chap seemed a bit embarrassed. I hope he enjoys the wine as much as I have done. Come on. Let’s buy a bottle to take back to the ship. Perhaps we’d better get two. We’ll drink it at dinner tonight.”
We bought the wine and came out into the sunshine.
Slowly we made our way back to the launch which would take us to the ship. On the quay we stopped at a stall and Lucas bought one of the bags for me. It was heavily embroidered with scarlet and blue flowers.
“A memento of a happy day,” he said.
“To say thank you for letting me share it with you.”
I thought how gracious and charming he was; he had certainly given me a happy day.
“I shall always remember it when I see this bag,” I told him.
“The flowers … the bullock carts and the wine …”
“And even the swabber of decks.”
“I shall remember every minute of it,” I assured him.
Friendship grows quickly at sea.
After Madeira we were in balmy weather with smooth seas. Lucas and I seemed to have become even firmer friends since our day ashore.
Without making arrangements we met regularly on deck. He would seat himself beside me and we would talk desultorily as we watched the calm sea glide past.
He told me a great deal about himself, how he had broken the tradition in the family that one of the sons should have a career in the Army.
But it was not for him. He was not really sure what was for him. He was restless and travelled a good deal, usually in the company of Dick Duvane, his ex-batman and friend. Dick had left the Army when he had and they had been together ever since. Dick was in Cornwall now, making himself useful on the estate, which Lucas supposed was something he would have to come to eventually.
“Just at the moment I’m uncertain,” he said.
“There is enough to do on the estate to keep both my brother and me occupied. I suppose it would have been different if I had inherited. My brother Carleton is in charge and he’s the perfect squire … such as I should never be.
He’s the best fellow in the world, but I don’t like playing second fiddle. It’s against my arrogant nature. So . since leaving the Army, I’ve drifted a bit. I’ve travelled a great deal. Egypt has always fascinated me and when I found the stone in the garden it seemed like fate. And so it was, because here am I at the moment, travelling with
