“Good to see you eating, my lad,” he told me.
“What are these?”I asked.
“It’s a Dutch oil cake.Tasty, hmm?”
“Aye.Very.”
Domingo came out of the back room carrying a plate on which four or five were piled.
“Really?”Guthrie exclaimed.“I just finished frying those.For pity’s sake!”
“Well, fry some more.Rooster likes them, and he needs them after yesterday.”
“Fine.I’ll keep on.I reckon the others’ll like ’em as much.”
“No doubt,” Domingo said, with a wave of his hand and a grin at me, and then he made a silly face, and I actually smiled.
“There you are.You know that’s part of how you fight this thing, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Whatever this creature is, it’s trying to scare the bollocks off of you, make you miserable, and keep you down.So don’t let it.”
I sighed and had troubling swallowing.“The blackguard’s tried to murder my dog.”
Domingo’s expression softened.“I know.And I’m sure you’re frightened.But don’t bury your joy, Simon.Your joy is your weapon right now.Wield happiness and pleasure with strength and persistence, and fight that way as well as you can.”
“I shall try, Domingo.I shall try.”
***
Ispenttherestofthe day wandering the ship, aimless and ill at ease.It seemed as if the supernatural creature we were dealing with was gaining strength or else focusing its intention.I wondered what would happen next.
The captain found me later that afternoon.
“How are you fairing, my love?”
“Not well, I’m afraid.I’m keeping Pearl near me because I’m frightened something else will happen to her.”
“Yes, that’s sensible.And being near to you is no hardship for her, I’m sure.”He took my hand.“I’ve told Guthrie to send Domingo to our rooms with some supper, if you’d like to return there with me now.”
“Thank you.”
I swiped at my face, overcome with the instability of my situation.
“Blast.Why am I such a priss, eh?Why can’t I keep from…from…”
“Never mind.I love the softness in you, Rooster.The way you allow your feelings to show.”
“They don’t particularly ask my leave.”
“Come on.”Dinesh nodded to Squid, who had gone before us to position himself outside our rooms.
I offered Squid a small smile, and he gestured for me to proceed.
The captain opened the door and ushered me through.I stepped into the room and stopped as Pearl trotted inside to examine the room that had changed in my absence.
A round table had been brought from somewhere and placed in the centre of the room.The surface was covered with a fine white cloth, and there were china plates and silver utensils arranged for two people, with two unfamiliar chairs at either side, with red velvet cushions on their seats.A silver candelabra sat in the centre of the table with the candles lit.
