A New Day by Beryl Matthews Read Free Book Online Page B

straightened up. ‘It will be another busy day tomorrow. Thanks for talking to me about things.’
    ‘Any time. Night, lad.’
    ‘See you tomorrow.’
    Jack was so tired at the end of each daily shift he was glad to climb into his bunk at night. He knew Bill and the others often had to do night watches, but he hadn’t been asked to do anything like that yet. That kind of responsibility would only come with experience, and at the moment he was having enough trouble just finding his way around the ship.
    The sound of the engines was soothing and he sighed as he closed his eyes. His last thought before sleep was always with his sister. It was hard not knowing how she was getting on in her new job, and he knew she must be feeling the same about him.
    Watching the activity as they docked in Bombay had Jack open-mouthed in amazement. After days at sea the noise and smells assaulted his senses.
    Bill dashed up to him. ‘The gangway will be going down soon, lad, but don’t leave the ship without us.’
    ‘I won’t,’ he readily agreed.
    Grinning at Jack’s reaction to his first sight of India, Bill said, ‘A bit overwhelming, isn’t it? Frank will be here in a few minutes. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
    About ten minutes later Frank arrived and joined Jack at the rail. ‘Are you looking forward to going ashore?’
    ‘Er . . . I’m not sure.’ He gestured to the pandemonium going on below them. ‘Is the town anything like this?’
    ‘No.’ Frank shook his head.
    ‘That’s a relief!’
    ‘It’s worse.’
    ‘Frank! You’re kidding me. It can’t be.’
    The man beside him held up his hands, laughing. ‘Honest. Would I lie to you?’
    ‘He’s telling the truth,’ Bill said as he came and stood beside them. ‘You stick close to us, lad, and just enjoy the experience.’
    With one man either side of him when they reached the main part of the town, Jack was glad they were with him. ‘Good grief!’ he muttered. ‘I thought London was crowded, but this is unbelievable, and all the vivid colours hurt my eyes.’
    ‘That’s because you’ve only seen blue and grey for days.’ Bill caught his arm and guided him through the teeming crowds.
    ‘Oh, look at those!’ He stopped by an open shop selling silky scarves. ‘Hanna would look lovely in one of those. Do they cost much?’
    ‘Not if Bill does the bargaining as I told you,’ Frank said.
    Jack looked at his friend, eager now to take a special present back for Hanna. ‘Would you ask for me, please? My sister deserves something pretty. She’s always put me first, and now it’s my chance to do something for her.’
    ‘Right, you choose one and I’ll get it as cheaply as I can for you.’
    There were so many, but he eventually held up one.
    Frank studied it and then nodded. ‘From what I remember of your sister that orange colour will go well with her dark hair, and the pattern is pretty as well.’
    Seeing Jack was decided, Bill took it from him and began to haggle about the price. It went on for quite a while and sounded more like an argument, so Jack stood back and waited to see what would happen.
    In the end he only paid a fraction of the original asking price, and they left the trader muttering nasty things about sailors. Jack grinned. ‘I don’t think he liked us.’
    ‘That’s just for show. He’s happy with the sale. You never pay full price, lad. As soon as traders see us they double the price of everything.’
    ‘Thanks, Bill, I’ll have to remember that.’ He watched, and listened as his friends both bought something on another stall.
    They ambled along, allowing Jack to stop and look at anything that caught his attention, and there was a great deal to see. ‘Look at that jewellery. Is it real gold?’
    ‘Yes.’ Frank pointed to an elaborate ring. ‘And that’s an Indian ruby.’
    ‘I wish I could buy Hanna something like that.’
    ‘Wait till we get to Ceylon, lad, where we can pick up gems at very reasonable prices.