Chapter 48. Coming Soon

  Gazing up at the ceiling in his cabin Will gave a mental click,

  Menu

  William Harris

  Age 35 (stabilized)

  Intelligence 40/50

  Strength 50/50 Maximum level.

  Vitality 48/50

  Stamina 48/50

  Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,

  Captain of the heartboat Rose

  Minnie

  Best dog of all

  Age 17

  Intelligence 22/25

  Strength 24/25

  Vitality 24/25

  Stamina 24/25

  Affinities for fishing, swimming, husbandry, mariner

  First Mate of the heartboat Rose

  Naomi 0’Malley

  Age 18

  Intelligence 36/50

  Strength 40/50

  Vitality 39/50

  Stamina 43/50

  Affinities for cooking, fishing, gardening, swimming, mariner

  Second Mate of the heartboat Rose

  Hmmm, just a couple of tiny increases, intelligence seemed the hardest to bring up. That’s fine though.

  Laying in his comfortable bed he wasn’t quite ready to get up yet. Collecting his thoughts he was planning the day. Bit of a tidy on the boat, laundry can be done under weigh and the crew quarters cleaned up too. Need a good mopping out and a wash down. Same as the mess, all the extra chairs and tables stored again and a good wash out. Halls, heads, main deck and finally the bilge pumped out. There had been a lot of spillage over the past ten days, just the usual, nothing unexpected , and that had to go. A check of what they needed for supplies and get that sent down, the stores were not exactly low. Plenty of meals left, but it was good to set off with a full larder, plus fresh meat and fresh milk. What else? “We’re going Christmas shopping today right?”, Minnie’s happy voice came from beside him, “I got a list of stuff I wanna get, it’s long.”. Will stretched “Maybe, if I decide to get up today, might just sleep in all day, what do you think?”. “I think Naomi would toss you out of bed, would be funny to see though.” Minnie answered. Will knew she was right so he got up, slowly.

  Minnie darted out of their cabin, “He’s up, never mind the bucket.” she yelled on the way out. That got Will moving faster, and as he exited his cabin he found Naomi coming out of hers too, yawning and stretching too. She gave him a look, “She got you huh.”. He laughed , “Yeah, it makes her so happy though, I don’t mind.”. A yell came from the galley, “Come on lazies, I started breakfast.”. Well that got Naomi moving, she dashed to the galley, but found Minnie sitting at their table sipping a glass of milk. “Oh hi, how are you today, ready to go shopping, cause I am.”. Naomi laughed and sat beside her little sister, “Oh yeah, but I have to get ready, okay? Dads getting ready, he decided to eat on shore when he heard you were cooking, nah just kidding, he said it’s a day off.”. Will stuck his head in, “Yeah it is. Breakfast at Martha’s, then shopping, lunch or an early dinner somewhere else maybe. Then we’re off, clean up on the water.”. He was ready to go, shorts and a shirt as usual, and his usual hat. “I’m going to change, I need to spiff up a bit.”, Minnie said and was off.

  Naomi left to get dressed for the day. Minnie returned with a much tidier turnout. Her favourite yellow sundress, large floppy hat, but still her fancy leather boots. Her sleek black and white fur was neatly brushed and she even had yellow bows on her long floppy ears. “Well don’t you look pretty as a picture today Min .”, Will exclaimed. She nodded, “Yeah I do.”. Will had a cuppa while they waited in their last member to be ready, then lifted their shopping carts on deck. The weather was perfect, all they needed now was their missing crew member.

  As they waited Minnie called down into the hold a few times to try to hurry Naomi up a bit. To her delight she found there was a bit of an echo in the big open space and it changed her voice. For the next few minutes she was howling and crooning and just generally having fun with different sounds. When Naomi finally did show she shook her head at Minnie, “What on earth were you doing, it sounded…well I’m not sure how to describe it, but it was weird.”. That made Mins day and it might have continued except for a mighty rumble from Wills stomach. “Ooh we better get some food in there, you might eat yourself.”, laughed Minnie and they set off down the quay.

  Coming off of the thick planks of the quay, over a strip of rocky beach then into the small square was like coming into another world and, in a way, it was. The quiet of the boat, gulls and water, changed to the town sounds. Vendors calling, horses and oxen as they pulled wagons, the constant chuffing of steam engines behind various businesses. “Pretty noisy here huh.”, Minnie said as they crossed into the town proper. Naomi nodded her agreement. This seemed to be the industrial part of the town, close to the beach with access to the coal barges. Will had never really noticed before, probably because they were usually emptying the barges on the quay, snd the boat was gone. But now he saw a weigh station with a very busy man. Every pound of the coal the crew had gathered was accounted for as it came off the barge and onto a wagon. And there were many wagons waiting for the coal, all very orderly, like everything in this world. No yelling, no fighting, no one trying to jump the line, very peaceful. Ed and Rudyard waved as they noticed Will having a look, they ambled over to say hello. “Morning all, morning.”, Rudyard said in his deep voice. Minnie jumped up on the cart and surveyed the action, “Busy place for you guys huh, lots of loads to take out?”. Ed nodded “Oh yes, we have, umm let me see?”, he pulled out a notebook. Will smirked at Minnie, she stuck her tongue out at him. Ed went on, oblivious to what was going on “We have to load up about eight hundred pounds, then deliver to several farms.”. “A long way too, quite a few days out, same back.”, Rudyard added. As he looked at the empty wagon, Will could see several bags. Camping gear he assumed. “Hey Ed, can you recommend a good place for breakfast? Somewhere close?”, Naomi asked. The young lad pointed in the direction they had been headed, “Nice little place over there, the Big Blue Eatery, most of us drivers eat there. Tell them Ed or Rudy here sent you, get a discount.”. Rudyard leaned over “And we get a couple of free coffees for a referral.”. Will laughed at hearing that, good business all around. Biding the two drivers good day the crew headed for the cafe.

  They found the place with no trouble, there were quite a few horse and wagons tied up front. “Looks a bit rough, let’s go ruffle some feathers.”, laughed Naomi. Together she and Minnie pushed open the door, eased two large drivers out of the way and stepped in. The two lads were a bit startled at being lifted up and put to one side, and didn’t really know what was going on. Will followed the two inside. Larger than it looked from the outside, a long bar with stools and several tables set by the tall windows. “Hey, hey you, what are you playing at.”, it was one of the disgruntled fellows by the door, he had finally figured out how to react. “Now you settle down Liam, I’m sure these nice young…ladies are just lost.”, the voice came from behind the bar. A tall man was leaning over and eyeing Minnie and Naomi with curiosity. “I don’t like being pushed aside Tom, you should know me. I just want to have an oof.”. The last part came when Will had stopped the man in his tracks with a careful hand on his shoulder. Tom, who caught sight of Will, took a second look at the two others smiling at him. “Well well, I had hoped to see you in here one day captain, my lucky day hmmm.”. Liam also took a second look, mumbled an apology and went back to his spot by the door. As word got around the busy restaurant it didn’t take long until everyone there was looking at the trio with curiosity. “Good morning, Tom is it? We were recommended by Ed and Rudy that this is the best place in town for breakfast.”, Will said. Minnie hopped up and stood on an empty stool, gave a few sniffs, “Smells pretty good in here guy, we’re pretty hungry though, can you help us out?”. Tom smiled “I think we can do just that.”. A few minutes later they had been given a table with a nice view of the busy streets. No menu but Tom had pointed out the board above the bar that had todays offerings. “It’s a pretty simple place.”, Naomi whispered to Will after they had ordered. There were a few different meals listed, each with a number. Good simple food for hard working people.

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  The few empty tables had filled as word got around the crew was here, as had the bar stools. Their food came quickly, brought out by a familiar face, Bjorn who had just returned from gathering. He was surprised to see them here but soon rallied and dropped off their food. An nice full breakfast for Will, pancakes with fruit for Naomi and a big blue special for Minnie. Consisting of mostly sausages and bacon, held together by eggs and cheese. She took a bite, loved it and dove in to finish. A few cups of tea later they were ready to continue their day, thanked Tom, signed the payment book and were on their way.

  “Well I liked it, nice place and fun people.”, Minnie said as they walked up the Main Street pushing their shopping cart. A few stops were planned, they wouldn’t be back for at least three months and Newton had the things they needed. The usual places, Darren’s tailoring for a start. As they entered he clapped his hands with pleasure. “Ah, my favourite customers, so good to see you. A good voyage I hope. Not in need of any winter gear yet I hope?”. Will shook his head, “Not yet, a few months yet til we head north again, but we will really need it then.”. “Ready it will be, but I have the rest of your orders here. Just not the winter gear.”. Minnie was quite excited to hear that, they had spent hours here last visit and her order was huge. Same as Naomi’s and Will also had many items. Darren called out his two assistants and together the three went through every item on the lists. “Fine work as usual Darren, thank you.”, Will shook hands with the man as his helpers loaded the waiting cart. Next stop was the cobbler, but again they didn’t need the heavy fur covered boots for a few more months, just some everyday shoes. James showed Will a pair of the winter boots he had ordered, they looked huge but the warmth would be wonderful in the northern cold. “And you see captain, if they do get wet just swap out the liners for dry ones, and note the canvas at the top with the drawstring to keep snow out.”, he pointed out, “No laces to freeze up either, pull them on and off easily.”. The crew were very impressed and Will assured James that his work was much appreciated. “It’s hard for me to imagine it being so cold that the leather cracks, I’m working on boots like this but using the sealskin you brought instead, very challenging indeed.”, the large man answered.

  After leaving James shop their cart was loaded with their other orders of shoes, boots and Wills flip flops, something that had intrigued the cobbler and now had several pairs hanging in his shop window. The day waned on as they explored the town from one end to the other, from the industrial area to the fine residences on a hill overlooking the harbour. Then to the school district where they met up with several of their temporary crew while the children were eating lunch outside. Minnie was so happy to see her littles, she joined in a game of soccer that was being played in one of the nearby fields. “Funny how quickly that got picked up.”, Will remarked to Naomi. “We played something like it in Laketown but with sticks, very rough game. I never played.”, she answered. Interesting, he thought, sounds like hockey. Not going there though. After a few minutes a teacher rang a handbell and the children had to line up for afternoon classes, he noticed Will and came walking over. A tall forbidding man, a swept back head of black hair, beaked nose in a black suit, walking stick in hand. “Oh oh.”, Will whispered to Minnie I think we’re in trouble.”. As the man reached them he looked down his nose, Will felt about ten years old and scruffy. “I am Charles Fletcher, head master of this school and you are most welcome to visit us captain.”, he said. Smiling as he spoke his whole face changed from stern and unyielding to an open happy man. The children were calling to him to invite the captain to see the school, he turned back to the crew. “Is that something you might be interested in, to tour our school?”. From the way he said it Will could tell he was as eager as the children to show off.

  Will eyed Minnie, she nodded, then Naomi who was just as happy to go and see. “Mr Fletcher, we would love to come in and visit.”, Will said. And for the next two hours that was exactly what they did. The school had several grades in one building, from grade one, up to grade nine. That was when their school days were over, for most. Every class room was full of excited youngsters and the questions were amazing. What did they eat, how do they cook, are they afraid of the water, can I come aboard and so on. Nothing was off limits and in one class Minnie drew a detailed picture of the grey and black tank system of the boat. Very proud of her home she was and how well it worked.

  The schools curriculum was very simple, basic even. No options like Will was accustomed to from his children’s days. There were music classes, physical activity, history, maths, reading and writing, and that was about it. Having the crew of the Rose here was an event, the boat was a part of their society, a huge part. And the history of her was the stuff of legends. From when she appeared in Laketown hundreds of years ago, the many voyages. The conversion to steam at the mysterious ship yard of her origins. Various captains were discussed in the history class, ones from Newton, or from Laketown and the ones, such as Will who were newcomers. People from an actual other world. The history teacher, an older woman named Mary, had gone on several gathering trips in her much younger days. She fondly remembered those times, even though the lake held nothing but dread now she was getting on in life.

  After stopping in each grades class and visiting Mr Fletcher escorted them to the main doors, “Thank you so much. I don’t think you realize how much it means to us all, everything that you do. Working so hard to help us, without the Rose we wouldn’t be where we are. A growing town, all because of you.”. He shook their hands, overcome with emotion. One of the other teachers had come out as well and helped the headmaster to a nearby bench. “We’re happy to help, it’s a good life we have and to be of service is it’s own reward. Perhaps we will come visit again.”, Will said as they left. “What a nice guy, I thought he was a real monster at first.”, Minnie said as the continued on through the town. Now passing into an housing area, neat little cottages. All with gardens full of fruit trees or bushes, rows of vegetables ready to pick. “Me too Minnie, he looked kinda brrrr, cold and mean. Just shows you can’t tell from looks alone.”, Naomi answered. As they wandered the quiet streets the residents who were outside as they passed would wave or call a friendly greeting.

  After walking the streets for nearly an hour, just wandering, they found a familiar tea house. “Can we have lunch, or at least some cakies, all that walking tired my little legs right out.”, complained Minnie. “You rode in the cart most of the way, and you played soccer at the school with your little legs. How can you be tired?”, Naomi asked her. Min shrugged “Practice.”.  Of course they stopped in. Greeted by Howard this time, the normally chatty young lad was much quieter than usual. He seated them in the garden and said he would be right back with drinks and fresh cakes, if that was all right. “What’s up with him, he usually talks our ears off?”, Minnie asked Will. “I don’t know, looked like something was bothering him.”, Will said. He was back in a few minutes and, of course, Minnie asked what’s wrong. “My uncle has a big farm, far away by the mountains and Sally has to go help with the children. His wife’s not well and they have eight children, I’ll miss her.”, he sighed. Yet another reason for a railway Will thought. “She won’t be there forever Harold, and it’s good that she can help, families important.”, Naomi added. “Oh I know, it’s just that she was so looking forward to voyaging again and now she’ll miss out, and I can’t go cause I have to help here now, it’s just not fair!”, and he stalked off into the tea house and slammed the door behind him. “Wow, he finally sounded like a typical teenager from my world, nothing going right for him.”, Will laughed. Harold came back out a few minutes later and apologized for his tantrum, “I’m not usually like this captain, I’m sorry.”. “It’s all right Howe, we’re used to teens and their problems.”, Minnie reassured him. “We won’t be gone forever, just a few months over winter. Then we have a spectacular project planned.”, Will added. The lad looked a him hopefully, “You mean it, haha of course you do, I would love to go, wherever we’re going, whatever we’re doing, can you tell me, please I won’t tell.”. Naomi looked at Will, he gave a slight nod, “When we come back, we’ll probably do a gathering trip. But then we’re going north, far far north and building a dock.”.

  An hour later Minnie was still chuckling, remembering the look on Howard’s face when Naomi had told him that. They had made it back to the shops lining the street heading down to the dock, and had made several purchases on the way. Will had managed to make several stops and bought several secrets for the day coming up. So had Minnie and Naomi, not spending too much, even though the amount of credit available to each was very nearly astronomical. They didn’t normally have to buy anything so it was a novelty to buy gifts. Small things, just to let the other person know that they were thinking of them. However the crew did manage to nearly clear out the candy store of some of their favourites. The amazing little store had something for everyone, and was happy to deal with their varied wants and needs. Run by the happiest man Will had ever met, Stanley and his two adult children Petunia and Lilac. The owner confided to Will that this was his last year running the shop. He and his wife were retiring to a small property near the mountains in a quiet little town. “The girls already do a bang up job making most of the stock already, I’m going to gift the store to them next spring. Then me and Angel are gone.”. He told Will he had to wait that long to arrange for all the wagons to move his household that far, it was a month long trip there and a month back. The carts carrying his furniture were usually carrying produce, mail and passengers. And there it was, another good reason for a train line.

  They had pounds of boiled sweets, candied fruit and candied vegetables, miniature cakes and a dozen varieties of liquorice. The new cream candies never lasted when they bought them but they all loved them so. Will had given Stanley a new idea, candy canes. Same as the stick candy he had made for years but with a hook. He promised to have a few dozen ready the next day and would deliver them himself before they weighed anchor. Next stop was the book sellers and printing shop, Will wanted to check on a couple of things they were going to publish for them. Minnie and Naomi’s travel book, and a couple of story books Will had cobbled up with the help of the owners. Everything was planned to release in a week or so, and the older couple were very excited by the prospects.

  As they left there and browsed their way down the busy street, pushing their nearly full cart ahead, Will could see the sun was getting low. “Time to get back on board, I don’t feel all that comfortable being away from her for too long.”. Minnie nodded, “Me too, I think she’s lonely without us.”. But as they got closer to the quay, they could see three black carriages waiting. A table and chairs had been setup on the beach again. But no friendly food wagon cooking away, this time it was the councillors of Newton come to visit. Will had a pretty good idea what was going on.