Perilous Beginnings by Kester John Bathgate

Author:Kester John Bathgate [Bathgate, Kester John]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2022-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The door of the Custom House opened to reveal a grey-haired man, who gazed at Sophia with a quizzical expression.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “I am Sophia Fitzwilliam, the daughter of Squire Fitzwilliam… from the old manor.”

He swallowed, self-consciously straightening his jacket.

“Aft’noon miss, er, I mean ma’am… an’ what can I do for y’. The name’s Green, I’m th’ c’llector ‘ere.” He paused. “Is there somethin’ y’ was wantin’?”

Sophia smiled.

“Indeed, there is, Mr Green. I have a letter here for Commander Devenish and I must give it to him straight away, as it is very important.”

“Ah,” Green replied, scratching his head, “but please… come in, miss.”

He waved a hand towards the interior and Sophia stepped over the threshold, having first given a glance behind her to ensure that she was not being followed. He closed the door after her, before hastily dusting off the chair in front of his desk.

“Now… y’ ‘ave a letter, y’ say?” he queried, indicating that she should sit.

She did so and took out the now somewhat crumpled document, holding it in her lap.

“Yes… and I must get it, to Commander Devenish as soon as possible.”

Green glanced at it with growing interest.

“Well, now, miss,” he replied, moving round the desk to take his own seat, his eyes still on the letter. “That might, er, be somethin’ o’ a problem.”

A small frown crossed Sophia’s brow.

“Oh, why is that?”

He looked at her for a long moment.

“The problem is, miss, that ‘e ain’t ‘ere… neither is th’ i’spector.” He shrugged. “I’m on me own t’day… seein’ as ‘ow it’s the big day like.”

She looked mystified.

“The big day, Mr Green?”

“Aye, miss. Today’s the day the ‘Dil’gence’, that’s our cutter y’ see, ‘is goin’ for ‘er sea trials… after ‘er refit.”

“Oh, I see… however, I must get this to Mr. Devenish, as soon as possible.”

Green smiled.

“All in good time, miss, all in good time. As I was sayin’, she went back in the water yesterd’y… it bein’ the springs an’ all.”

Something jarred in Sophia’s mind and she looked at him with fresh interest.

“I’m sorry, Mr Green,” she interrupted, “but did you say springs?”

“Aye, miss. ‘I’s the time o’ the new and full moons, y’ see,” he explained, “when the tides ’re at their ‘ighest. Vessels can be beached,” he went on, “t’ be refitted or repaired, afore they comes off o’ th’ nex’ one. Between ‘em, the ‘springs’ tha’ is miss, there’s nigh on a fortnight when they can be worked on. Tha’s what’s ‘appened with the ‘Diligence’, miss, y’ see.”

She gave another nod, as she took this in.

“Ah, yes, something to do with the tides…” she replied, half to herself. She turned to glance intently at him. “However, we’re wasting time and I must get this to her. Please tell me how I might do so.” Green thought of the difficulties involved and gave her a nervous smile. Unfortunately, it was an action that caused her frown to return. “This is very important,” she repeated, an edge to her voice.

His smile abruptly disappeared.

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