It was some time before Noah joined Sam on deck where he stood leaning on the taffrail, watching the passing marshes as the Thames widened towards the sea. Ahead the water gleamed like quicksilver with cloud shadows scudding across it like great beasts beneath the surface. On either side the mudflats were pocked with pools of tumultuous sky under spears of white light seeming to escape through c****s in the walls of heaven.
He wanted to give him time alone to adjust to such a huge change in circumstances, to steady himself, but he had work onboard, too. As his own super-cargo on this voyage, he needed to satisfy himself that all the bills of lading were in order for the tin, bales of fine woollen cloth and casks of whisky filling the holds. He rested a hand on Sam’s shoulder, shocked by h
