The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle

Author:Judith Eagle
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571363131
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Chapter Thirteen

She was almost at the gate that separated third class from first when she realised that Turo was racing to catch up with her.

‘Patch, wait!’

She didn’t know why he was looking so worried. It was a stroke of luck that Babette had done a disappearing act. She wondered what would have happened if she’d still been down there, surrounded by all her supplies and disguises. Patch was pretty certain her game would’ve been up.

The ship lurched and she braced herself, waiting for the rocking to subside. She was still clutching the jug of beef tea, its contents considerably diminished, much of it having sloshed over the sides during her grand exit. It was probably stone-cold by now.

‘Patch, do you realise what you’ve just done?’ Turo gasped. His cheeks were pink and his face was stuck in the most awful frown.

‘Put that man in his place, I hope!’ she said.

‘No!’ Turo groaned. ‘Haven’t you heard of a passenger list?’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘The passenger list. Every ship has one. And every registered passenger is on it. First, second, third class. And on top of that, there are separate lists for the crew.’

In a flash, Patch saw her mistake.

‘You mean, everyone is on it except the Cooper-Gordons?’ she said. She’d thought she was being so clever, but in fact she’d just been stupid. Or stupido as Turo would say.

‘Exactly,’ said Turo. ‘And he didn’t believe you. I saw it in his eyes.’

Patch could’ve kicked herself. Somehow she had to make her wrong a right, and quickly.

‘Where is it?’ she demanded.

‘Where’s what?’

‘The passenger list of course! Where’s it kept?’

‘In the purser’s bureau. He – the purser – needs it for when the passengers want to send wireless messages, or deposit jewels and stuff in the safe.’

‘And do you think Perkins will check?’ She didn’t even know why she was asking. The man was a terrier. He was the sort of person who wouldn’t let anything go.

‘He’s a vindictive fella,’ said Turo. ‘He’s probably on his way there now, and when he finds out . . .’

‘He won’t find out,’ said Patch with a determination that surprised even herself.

‘Whaddaya mean he won’t find out?’

‘Because we’re going to get there first,’ she said.

If Turo could just show her where the purser’s bureau was, she’d find a way to steal that passenger list and hide it before Perkins had a chance to discover the truth.

‘Are you serious?’ Turo said incredulously.

‘Deadly,’ said Patch.

She was determined to thwart Perkins. She didn’t like him one bit. He was definitely a child-hater.

And what with Mr Reynolds, that made two.

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