Chapter One: part three online preview of Wings of Sorrow
‘How many crew members do you have?’
‘Six. My Dad. My brother, myself and three others. They come with us from Lowestoft and have three days off while we are at the cricket. They’ll all be t’gither tomorrow, getting ready to sail in the evening. There’s the same number of men on the other drifters.
Jane enjoyed their company until they reached the Corner Café where Nell and Ewan decided they would return to the digs where they stayed every year; three fishermen’s cottages handy for the harbour in the old part of Scarborough.
‘What about tomorrow?’ asked Nell.
‘You two meeting up?’ queried Ewan.
‘We thought about it.’ replied Nell. ‘You’ll be busy preparing to sail.’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so.’
‘We could spend the day together and finish up by seeing them sail,’ Nell suggested to Jane.
‘Good. I’ll meet you at the harbour at ten?’
‘Couldn’t be better.’
Mavis and David, who were enjoying a cup of tea when their niece walked in, were struck by her joyful mood.
‘You seem to have had a good day, love,’ commented Mavis.
‘Oh, I have,’ Jane replied. As she poured herself a cup of tea from the pot on the table, she told them all about it.
‘I heard it was a good match,’ said her uncle.
‘I’m so pleased you met some nice people,’ said Mavis.
‘I’m meeting Nell tomorrow at the harbour at ten.’
‘Why not bring her to lunch?’
‘Can I?’ queried Jane enthusiastically.
‘Of course,’ Mavis insisted, pleased that her niece had found a friend. It could be a real turning point in her life and Jane deserved a change in fortune.
‘Thank you,’ Jane came over to give her aunt a kiss. ‘And I’ve decided I’m going to try and do something about getting a job, or at least earning myself some money.’
Both her uncle and aunt looked at her in surprise.
‘Don’t think you have to,’ her uncle was quick to assure her.
‘I know, Uncle, but it is time I started to do something; I can’t depend on you all the time.’
Her aunt reached out and took her hand. ‘Jane, we are delighted to have you with us, and whatever you decide, you know we will back your decision.’
There was love and gratitude in Jane’s smile when she replied quietly, ‘Thank you.’
‘What are you thinking of?’ asked her uncle.
‘I’d like to try some freelance journalism and if I was reasonably successful I might even consider journalism as a career.’
‘Good for you,’ Mavis encouraged.
‘Show some determination and you’ll succeed,’ her uncle agreed. ‘You’ll need a typewriter. Go and get one, a good one. I’ll sign a cheque and you can fill in the rest. It can go on my business account.’
Jane was speechless for a few moments, then with a cry of thanks she hugged her uncle.
‘There were tears of love and appreciation in her eyes as she straightened up. ‘What have I done to deserve you two?’ she said at length.
‘You have brought us joy,’ said Mavis, ‘when we thought the chance of it had passed us by.’
‘And we’d rather see some benefit from our money while we can,’ added David.
Scarborough’s foreshore was already a hive of activity around the amusement arcades, shops, ice cream parlours and cafés when Jane reached the harbour the next morning. The quayside was busy too as pleasure boat owners tried to entice holidaymakers to take a sea trip, and the men from the three Lowestoft drifters checked the gear and prepared for the evening sailing.
She turned on to the quay. As she passed the Silver King she heard a shout: ‘Hi, Jane!’ She glanced across at the nearest ship and saw Simon in his shirt sleeves. He waved and give her a broad grin.
She was flattered by such enthusiasm and returned it with equal fervour, then stopped to exchange a few words with him.
‘You two spending the day together?’ he asked, inclining his head in the direction of Nell who was talking to Ewan beside the Lively Lady.
‘Yes. Don’t know what we’re going to do, but I have some shopping to get.’
‘Nell will love that.’
She saw Nell look in her direction and wave.
She waved back and then said to Simon, ‘Will she really?’
‘She will. Doesn’t get much opportunity to shop with someone of her own age, and you two seemed to get on so well yesterday.’
‘We did, didn’t we?’
‘Nell’s that type of person. Easy to get on with if she takes to someone. And from her comments when she and Ewan got back yesterday, it was obvious she liked you.’
‘I’m so pleased. I liked her too from the moment I met her.’
‘She’s a fine girl.’
The tone in Simon’s voice made her wonder if the relationship between them was more than merely friendship. But Nell was with Ewan at this moment, and it had been Ewan who had suggested he and Nell accompany Jane home yesterday.
‘I’d better go and see her,’ she said. ‘I’ll be back here this evening to see you all sail.’
‘You will?’ The eagerness in his voice was not lost on Jane and again she felt a twinge of pleasure.
‘I’d better go.’
‘Good morning, Jane,’ Nell and Ewan chorused.
‘Hello,’ she replied, and glanced at Ewan. ‘Is the weather going to be good for you tonight?’
‘I think so. The signs aren’t bad. The wind is freshening a bit but that won’t bother us.’
‘How far out do you go?’
‘About forty miles. Depends where we find herring.’
‘How do you know where they’ll be?’
‘They tend to be that distance away, give or take a few miles. Dad has a built in instinct when he gets out there. Comes from spending years in the trade. Then when we get close to the area where he believes there will be herring, he’ll have a look-out at the bow. He’ll be waiting for the tell-tale phosphorescence that shines off them … that’s one of the reasons herring are known as the “silver darlings.”.’ He glanced towards the wheel-house. ‘I’d better be going. Dad’s looking a bit stern with me for wasting time talking to you. Enjoy yourselves.’
‘I want a quick word with my dad,’ said Nell, taking Jane’s arm. They moved on to the Sea Queen where George Franklin was on deck overseeing the preparations. When the two girls appeared he came down the gangway on to the quay. ‘What are you two planning on doing?’
‘I have some shopping I need to do, Mr Franklin,’ replied Jane.
‘Oh, goodness me. My daughter’s chief failing!’ He looked heavenwards as if hoping to find divine help in curbing the enthusiasm he had seen coming over Nell’s face.
‘We’ll have a smashing time,’ she said eagerly.
‘You do that, love. Here.’ He fished in his pocket and handed her five one-pound notes.
Nell gave a loud whoop, hugged her father and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. Though he liked it and loved to indulge his only child he tut-tutted with embarrassment. ‘Off with you now and have a good day.’
‘We will, Dad, we will,’ laughed Nell.
The two girls set off along the quay calling goodbye to Ewan and Simon as they passed their vessels.
‘My Aunty Mavis has invited you to lunch,’ said Jane, ‘so I suggest we have a leisurely walk home then after lunch we’ll go shopping. I’m looking for a typewriter.’ She went on to tell Nell how that had come about.
‘That sounds splendid,’ she approvedl. ‘I know nothing about journalism or writing, but I’m sure you’ll do well. You’ll need good ideas for articles and stories, though.’
‘I’ve just had my first,’ replied Jane, excitement colouring her words.
‘You have?’
‘Yes. The drifters and the work they do.’
‘But what do you know about them?’
‘Very little at the moment, but I’ll find out and then write about it. Having met you, I have a golden opportunity.’
‘Speak to any of the three owners. I know they’ll be only too willing to help you out, and so will Ewan and Simon. But you’d do well to tackle Simon first. He’s never wanted to do anything but herring fishing, can see his whole life bound up in it. Ewan less so. He’s restless. He’d leave tomorrow if he dare.’
‘Why doesn’t he?’ Jane was curious.
‘His father expects him to carry on in the business but Ewan doesn’t really see a future there. The opportunity to leave without incurring his father’s wrath, could come when his brother’s old enough and competent enough to take his place. Ewan figures his father wouldn’t be so strongly opposed to losing him then. In the meantime he puts up with the life. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fisherman but his heart and soul are not in it. Not like Simon’s.’
These revelations made Jane wonder. Was Nell, too, bound up in the fishing industry? If so, would she lean towards Simon? If not would she seek to escape with Ewan? Where did her heart truly lie? Then Jane wondered: What about me? Both young men had flirted with her, and she liked it, but she had noted Nell’s fleeting reactions. . Jane knew she must tread warily; she did not want to lose this friendship which already meant a lot to her. It had given her more to think about, driving away the bad memories and showing her a glimpse of a richer, more stable future, if she could only grasp it.