The Constant Heart (31 page)

Edward shook his head. 'It was humiliating, poppet. I'm a man cut down to size.'

Barnum strode towards them. 'I see your old hulk has been towed away. Has she been taken to the match factory then? I suspect that is all she's worth now.'

'Stow your gaff, Barnum. I ain't in the mood.'

'Things going bad for you, are they, May? I'm sorry to hear it.'

'No you ain't, you two-faced river rat. You're enjoying me suffering, and you're the one who caused it in the first place.'

'Best be careful what you say, old man. I could have you up for slander.' Barnum waved his hand to encompass the dockers who had stopped work to watch and listen. 'I have plenty of witnesses.'

'You have now, you lily-livered coward. But where were the witnesses that night on the river when you rammed my boat? None – and why? Because you made certain that there was none.'

'That is slander. It was an accident and your man wasn't keeping a proper watch, so you'd best keep your trap shut, May.'

'I've sent a letter of complaint to the Wharfingers' Association. You'll be lucky if the Watermen's Company renew your licence, Barnum. I'll see you out of business, you bastard.'

'You'll be too busy defending yourself in court to care what happens to me. I'm accusing you of setting the river pirates to steal from my boat.'

'What? That's ridiculous.'

'Is it? Then tell me why it is that they chose the
Curlew
to rob, and none other?'

'How should I know?'

'You know because it was you who instigated the thefts. Twice I've had my vessel stripped of everything that wasn't nailed down, and your boat ain't been touched. I call that pretty strong evidence as to who's behind the robberies.'

Edward took a menacing step towards Barnum, who fisted his hands as if ready for a fight.

Rosina sprang between them. 'Stop it, both of you. This is no way to behave.'

'Yes, Pa. Come away.' Sukey tugged at her father's coat tails. 'Don't lower yourself to speak to that family. They're no better than the river pirates.'

'Sukey!' Rosina stared at her in horror. 'I thought you were my friend.'

'Yes, I was your friend, but you were not mine.' Sukey pointed to Rosina's left hand. 'You stole my beau. He was mine but you bewitched him, you crafty cow.'

'Don't lower yourself by speaking to the trollop,' Barnum said, pulling Sukey away. 'Go home to your mother, girl. This is man's business.'

'Sukey,' Rosina pleaded. 'Let me explain.'

Sukey's lip curled and her blue eyes narrowed. 'You don't love Harry. You just want him for his money. I'll never speak to you again as long as I live, Rosina May.' Turning on her heel, she tossed her blonde curls and stalked off towards home.

Mary shot a venomous look at Rosina.

'Traitor!' She marched off after her sister, dragging Lillian by the hand. Lillian turned her head and stuck her tongue out, crossing her eyes and blowing a raspberry. It was not a pretty sight and Rosina stared helplessly after them. Everything had gone horribly wrong. She could not blame Sukey for being upset, but at least she could have given her the opportunity to explain.

'I hope you're satisfied, girl,' Barnum said, sneering. 'You've broken my poor Sukey's heart, you hussy. But I suppose that the rotten apple doesn't fall far from the tree.'

'Now you've gone too far, Barnum.' Edward drew himself up to his full height. 'You can say what you like to me, but you don't insult my girl.'

Barnum gave him a pitying look. 'It's obvious, ain't it? Your girl has sold herself to the highest bidder in order to bail you out, you old fool. Anyone can see that.' With a scornful laugh, he strode off towards the wharfinger's office.

Rosina tugged at her father's arm. 'Don't pay any heed to him, Papa. He's just a horrid, spiteful old man. He doesn't know what he's saying.'

'Spiteful old man, am I?' Barnum stopped in his tracks, turning his head with a scornful curl of his lips. 'Well, old man I may be. But this year I'm going to win the sailing barge match, and at least your pa won't have the humiliation of losing yet again.'

'Maybe not.' Edward placed himself squarely in front of Rosina. 'But I'll be there to jeer when you come in last.'

'You'll be laughing on the other side of your face when I return with the trophy.'

'This is getting us nowhere, Papa.' Rosina tugged at his arm. 'Come home and leave Captain Barnum to crow if he so wishes, but I know who is the better man.'

Reluctantly, Edward allowed her to lead him into the house. 'I may not be able to compete this year, but I'll beat him at that match next year, Rosie. If it's the last thing I do, I'll wipe that grin off Barnum's face.'

'Yes, Papa. I'm sure you will.' As they passed the office, Rosina instinctively turned her head to look inside, half expecting to see Walter at his usual post, sitting behind the desk with his dark head bent over a ledger or a bill of lading. But, of course, he was not there and never would be unless Harry had a change of heart.

'I miss that boy,' Edward said as if reading her thoughts. 'To think that he has been systematically cheating me is like a dagger plunging into my heart. I almost thought of him as a son, and that was how he repaid me.'

'Walter is innocent, Papa. I believe that, and I think you know it, deep down.'

'I'd like to, poppet. But Harry made a good case against him.'

She could see that it was useless to argue. 'Come into the kitchen, Papa. Bertha will make you a nice hot cup of tea.'

Caddie was sitting at the kitchen table feeding baby Arthur, and the two older boys were gnawing on raw carrots. Bertha jumped up from her chair, taking in Edward's downcast expression with a glance, and without saying a word she set about making a brew of tea.

'Sit down, Papa,' Rosina said gently. 'Tell us everything.'

Edward sank onto the chair by the range. 'There's not much to tell, poppet.'

'Stop shilly-shallying, old man, and tell us.' Bertha poured boiling water onto the tea leaves in the pot. 'Did he give you a job or not?'

'Don't bully me, woman.' Edward tugged at his necktie, loosening his starched collar with agitated fingers. 'He's given me work of sorts.'

Rosina knelt down beside him. 'Tell us the worst, Papa.'

'He gave me a job in the warehouse.'

'But, Papa, the doctor said you weren't to work with hay. It will bring on your chest complaint.'

'It was all that Gostellow had to offer, poppet. He's paying me a fair wage for my labours and we have to eat. Without the barge I have no livelihood. I can't do any better until I get my boat back.'

'Well, I call it an insult,' Bertha said angrily.

Caddie hitched Arthur over her shoulder, rubbing his tiny back. 'Mr Harry is going to pay me for being Rosie's maid. You can have all my wages, Captain May.'

'Thank you, Caddie. But we couldn't exist on what little Harry Gostellow intends to pay you. I can work in the warehouse until my boat is ready. It won't kill me.'

Rosina patted his hand, biting back tears. It was cruel of Harry's father to treat her papa like a common labourer. 'Isn't there any other way?'

'Not that I can see.'

'But he did agree to pay for the repairs to the
Ellie May
?' When her father did not answer immediately, Rosina grasped his hand, sensing trouble. 'Did he, Pa?'

'You really mustn't worry your pretty head about business, my dear. Harold agreed to advance the money, but there was a condition.'

'For heaven's sake, man. Tell us everything.' Bertha poured tea into a mug and handed it to him. 'There's no milk. I give it to the little ones.'

Edward sipped his tea and pulled a face. 'And no sugar, it seems.'

'How can I buy sugar if I don't have any money?' Bertha stood with arms akimbo. 'You might as well tell us the worst of it, old man. We're three grown women and you don't have to treat us like nippers.'

'Well, then. The truth of it is that I had to put the house up as security against the loan. Don't look so alarmed, Rosie. It's just a legal formality, and as soon as the
Ellie May
is refitted and repaired I'll be able to start repaying Gostellow with interest. This time next year, we'll be back on our feet. And you, my little Rosie, will be a married lady with a position in society.'

'But, Papa. What happens if you cannot repay Mr Gostellow?'

'That won't happen, poppet.' He set the mug down and rose slowly to his feet. 'Now, I have to get back to the warehouse and start earning my wages.'

'I never thought I'd live to see the day!' Bertha said, throwing up her hands. 'I'd sooner take in washing than allow my master to stoop so low.'

'Shut up, you old war horse.' Edward tempered his words with a tired smile. 'There's no call for talk like that. I am the head of my household and I'll put bread on the table.'

'We're a burden to you, Captain,' Caddie said, blinking away a tear. 'My Artie would be turning in his grave if he knew what had happened.'

Edward picked up his cap and set it on his head. 'Artie was as good a man as ever sailed on the river. I doubt I'll ever be able to replace him, Caddie. But the least I can do is look after his widow and his boys. Never speak of being a burden, my dear. I'm proud to have you living under my roof.' He hurried from the kitchen, closing the door behind him.

'There goes a good and a brave man,' Bertha said, scowling. 'I'd like to wring that Gostellow fellow's neck.'

'Well, I won't have Pa treated this way,' Rosina said, snatching her bonnet off its peg. 'I'm going to speak to Harry, and if I can't get any sense out of him, then I'll go and have it out with Mr Gostellow himself.'

She found Harry in the outer office of Gostellow and Son, Hay and Provender Merchants. He was riffling through a sheaf of papers with a frown puckering his brow. He looked up as she entered, and he smiled. 'Rosie, my love, what a pleasant surprise.'

He looked so genuinely pleased to see her that the harsh words died on her lips. In her head she could hear Sukey's furious voice accusing her of being interested solely in his money. It plagued her conscience to admit that it was partly true. She forced Will's ever-present image to the back of her mind. She would never see her pirate again – Harry was her future. She would do everything in her power to make him happy, and she would never let him know that he was second best. 'Am I intruding, Harry? I don't want to get in the way of your business.'

'I would willingly put business matters aside for you, Rosie.' He came out from behind the desk, taking her in his arms and kissing her on the lips. 'Could you not bear to be parted from me, sweetheart?'

She drew away from him, struggling to find the right words. 'Of course I wanted to see you, Harry. But I need to speak to you about Papa.'

'Is anything wrong?'

'No – well, yes. Your father was good enough to find him temporary work, but I fear for Papa's health. The doctor said that he should not be exposed to hay because it brings on his chest complaint. I'm afraid that working in the warehouse will make him ill. Is there nothing else that he could do?'

'If what you say is true, then your father will not be able to work for us even when the boat is repaired. If he cannot work with hay, then we will have no further use for him or his barge.'