Daughter of Freddy Kidd

Chapter 9

I stared at the moon from my window for a while, when I started to get cold and pulled my robe over me.

That's when I reached for the necklace that James gave me.

Oh James, you were so gentle and caring with me! The way you looked at me….Ah, I don't want to think about that.

I pushed the thoughts away and closed the window, then sat down on my bed and took out my book to read.

When I opened it, the flower I got from Shawn at the market fell out.

Aww Shawn, you have done so much for me.

I remembered the touch of his body every time he took me off the ship in his arms and when he put the flower in my hair... the way he looked at me then...

Then I slammed the book down angrily. I don't want to think about that! I need to finally sleep.

I closed my eyes and saw Dwayn in front of my eyes……

I didn't get anything from him, only the moments we spent together, sitting on his lap at the feast, his eyes shining with pride, whispering in my ear, looking at me.

God, I can't take this!

I managed to sleep for maybe a few hours when I heard a knock at the door. I ran down the stairs, who could it be?

I opened the door and there stood…

My colleague.

Maria: Hi Jessica! Imagine, I heard pirates are looking for you in the city!

My eyes immediately lit up at this.

Maria: But that's not why I came, but because I forgot to tell you that the parrot whose picture is outside on the wall is at a local blacksmith's.

Maria: He applied to me when you were still... so you were at sea.

She handed over a piece of paper with the blacksmith's address.

Jessica: Oh my God, thank you!

Jessica: You are the best colleague in the world!

I shouted happily

And I just reached for a coat and a hat from the door, as I was, I started running towards the harbor in my nightgown, I even left Maria at the door.

Jessica: Oh God, let them still be in port!!

*

I ran all the way to the harbor and was very relieved when I saw the Stigmata. I was already halfway up the ramp when I saw

A: Dwayn

B: Shawn

C: James

A/Dwayn:

I saw Dwayn adjusting the ropes.

Jessica: Dwayn!- I shouted

He looked back and his face lit up.

Dwayn: Ratty!

Dwayn: Ratty!

He shouted as he also ran towards me, then picked me up and spun me around like I was the weight of a feather.

When my feet finally hit the ground, he didn't let me go, just hugged me tight, as if we hadn't seen each other in years.

I could feel his heartbeat as he pressed me against his muscular body.

Jessica: I heard you were looking for me, Captain.

I told him when I got a breather.

Dwayn narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously, but didn't say anything, so I continued.

Jessica: But that's not why I came.

Jessica: The parrot's owner was found. A blacksmith took him in, he lives here in the city.

Dwayn: This is the news!

Dwayn: Let's find the others, they're in the pub!

B/Shawn:

B: Jessica: Shawn!

I shouted and ran towards him.

He also started towards me, and when we met, he almost knocked me over as he hugged me and lifted me into the air.

There was such joy on his face that it completely penetrated my heart.

Shawn: Jessica! Are you back?

He asked as he kissed my mouth before I could say anything.

I gasped for air, on the one hand because of running, on the other hand because of the excitement of finding them, and also because of the kiss, and then I tried to speak excitedly.

Jessica: I heard you were looking for me.

Shawn was embarrassed.

Shawn: Um...we..we weren't looking for you, Jessica.

Jessica: It doesn't matter.

Jessica: Look, I found the parrot's owner!

I showed him the paper, I was excited.

Shawn: Well that's great! Let's go tell the others. They are in the pub!

C/James:

Jessica: James!

I shouted when I saw him.

He looked up from the book he was reading on deck in the sunshine and it seemed to take him a moment to believe that the one he see is really me.

Then he jumped up, dropped the book and hurried towards me and knelt in front of me, taking my hand.

James: Beautyheart, you're back!

As he looked up at me, it was as if I saw a tear glistening in his eye.

Instead of pulling him up, I knelt next to him and hugged him.

He pulled me close and buried his head in my neck.

I stroked her silky hair when he looked up at me laughing.

James: We're like two kids.

James: I don't know what happened to me, I just...missed you so much!

Jessica: Like you do to me.

Jessica: I heard you were looking for me.

James: We weren't looking for you.

We didn't want to bother you.

Jessica: Oh, it must have been a misunderstanding, then.

Jessica: Look, they found the bird.

I showed him the note in my hand.

James: That's great, let's go tell the others the good news. They are in the pub.

There was a lot of noise in the pub. Maybe there was music playing, but you could barely hear it over the shouting.

Then we saw the others sitting at a table and we sat down with them.

Jessica: Guys, I have great news! They found the parrot!

Jessica: He was taken in by a blacksmith who lives here in the town.

Meanwhile an another bottle of rum was placed on the table.

James: Do you think he will just give it to us?

Dwayn: I can be very persuasive.

He winked at me, then looked at the address.

Dwayn: We'll drink the rum and go!

Jessica: There's something else here, Captain!

Dwayn: What would it be?

Jessica: I heard pirates were looking for me.

Shawn: That's pretty worrying though. Do you know other pirates besides us?

Jessica: Of course not!

Dwayn: Is there anything we should know about?

James: I'm afraid they're not as nice as we are!

Jessica: I...I have no idea why they would search me.

Jessica: My father is definitely not alive anymore, is he?

Shawn shook his head.

Shawn: For sure. This has nothing to do with your father. I mean, to your foster father.

Shawn: But we have to be very careful. Someone should always be by your side.

Dwayn: Isn't that an exaggeration? Or would you just take the opportunity to be by her side?

Shawn: No exaggeration. And you shouldn't drink so much.

Shawn was irritated when two courtesans approached our table.

Courtesan 1: Good evening, gentlemen.

Courtesan1: I'm not saying that it's rare to see pirates in this direction, but I've never seen such handsome ones.

Courtesan1: You must be tired on the road, come, let's relax a bit.

She sat down on the table in front of Dwayn.

Shawn grabbed my hand as soon as the other courtesan looked at him, so she turned to James and ran her hand over his chest

Courtesan 2: You're definitely not a pirate, with such beautiful hands.

She took James's hand.

James: I…Ummm…I was with someone just now.

He pulled his hand away.

(Oh god, I hope he's just lying. I didn't believe him, yet my heart tightened as if it was being squeezed with two hands.)

Courtesan2: But not with me. I would definitely remember that.

She laughed.

Courtesan2: Although after so many drinks...I’m not sure.

She laughed loudly as James tried to smile sheepishly.

Then his girlfriend turned to the captain again.

Courtesan1: What do you say, pirate? Come and take my treasure!

She leaned closer to Dwayn, who still didn't say anything.

I turned to Dwayn.

Jessica: Dwayn my dear, you look tense. Go and hook up with the ladies.

I winked at him.

He hesitated a little and pushed the chair out from under him a little angrily.

Dwayn: I could take the slack.

Then he started to laugh and walked away with the courtesan.

He slapped her bottom hard and looked back at me.

(Oh Dwayn, please don't overplay your part.- I thought worriedly.)

We waited downstairs in the drinking room for another hour or so before the captain returned.

I looked at him questioningly.

Dwayn: There really is another pirate crew in town.

Dwayn: Their ship is not in the port, I think they used a neighboring port and arrived here by boat.

Dwayn: I don't know more because the courtesans are also afraid of them.

Jessica: That's all the information you managed to get in one hour?

I asked him jealously as we left the pub.

Dwayn: Hey, don't you think I had to make a little sacrifice to find out this much?

My eyes filled with tears and I pulled my arm away as soon as he tried to pull me to him.

Then he grabbed both of my shoulders and turned me to face him.

He held my head firmly in his hands, he wanted me to look at him.

Dwayn: Hey Ratty, relax, nothing happened.

I looked up at him with tears in my eyes

Jessica: Sure?

He smiled and nodded

Dwayn: Sure.

It was getting dark when we reached the address, but the blacksmith was still working.

Dwayn: Have a nice day, good man!

He greeted, and the blacksmith turned and looked at him questioningly, then Dwayn continued:

Dwayn: I came for my bird, I really miss little Herry.

Blacksmith: How much do you miss him?

At that, Dwayn reached into his pocket and took out a handful of gold coins, which he handed to the blacksmith.

(Wow, how much money does he have)- I thought, but the blacksmith did not share my opinion and shook his head.

Blacksmith: Ah, you don't miss him enough.

He would have turned away from Dwayn, when he drew a pistol without letting him turn his back.

Dwayn: Believe me, I miss him quite a bit. And how much will you miss your life? Take the gold and give me the bird!

The blacksmith was scared and nodded in agreement.

He didn't even dare to take the gold, but when we got the bird, Dwayn threw it on the ground to say goodbye.

The captain took the bird in his hands and we set off.

Jessica: Very cute bird.

I stroked his feathers

Bird: Pretty dress, pretty dress.

Jessica: Oh, thank you, you're kind.

I suddenly realised that I was practically wearing only a coat.

Dwayn: Where's the map?

Bird: There is no map!

Dwayn: What do you mean there's no map? But there is! And you're going to tell me!

Bird: No map!

Jessica: Dwayn, don't be so rude to him.

Bird: Yes Dwayn, don't be so rude to him!

Dwayn turned to me

Dwayn: We're sailing out tomorrow. Are you coming with us Jessica?

Shawn cut in

Shawn: Of course she's coming with us, you don't want to leave her here, do you? She's in danger!

Dwayn: Of course I don't want to leave her here, but if she doesn't want to come, I can't kidnap her again!

Jessica: Relax guys, I'm going with you.

Everyone calmed down and nodded in agreement.

Jessica: I'm going home then.

James: Home? And who will take care of you?

Then I had a wonderful idea.

Jessica: Don't you guys want to sleep at my place tonight?

Jessica: Then you could take care of me.

Dwayn: Someone has to stay on the ship to look after it.

Shawn: Some of the crew stayed there. If the pirates attack, we will all be needed, and maybe they don't know the house yet, but the ship for sure.

Dwayn sighed.

Dwayn: Okay, we're sleeping at your place tonight.