Sandra pulled her bonnet down, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“What do you mean by, ‘all the time’? We have never met before.”
“I saw you in town. When I was running from Mister Lewis’s picnic.”
Despite the wrinkles this frowning would undoubtedly give Sandra, she felt a pang of sympathy for Myrtle. Even after all these years she remembered her own introduction to the surface.
“Do you ever miss the ocean?” Myrtle asked.
“I don’t have time. Too many chores.” Sandra sighed. I do miss my family though.
“Aren’t you afraid of being replaced?”
“If that day ever comes, I will find work elsewhere.”
“What if someone saw your true form?”
“Impossible.”
“Mister Lewis almost did.”
“Some humans are cursed or blessed. You won’t have time to think about it either.”
“Your holiday. Is it to see your family?”
“Perhaps. It’s been years since we last saw each other.”
“Do they live nearby?”
“No, they live in the deep water. In a kelp forest.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
Sandra shrugged, fixing her pleats, sleeves and bodice. Myrtle sat on the maid’s bed.
“I wish I studied more. I feel stupid. You know so much.”
“I am two to three years your superior. Reading alone will only get you so far on the surface. You have heard more than enough already. In doing so, you have distracted me enough. I still have my vacation to pack for AND the children’s rooms to tend to before Mistress returns home.”
***
Three days later, Sandra woke before dawn. After readying herself as if this was another ordinary morning. The brunette packed her last-minute essentials into yesterday’s empty basket.
I hope three days was enough.
Her breaths misted in the darkness. She hurried across the manicured lawn, fixing her coat around her quivering shoulders. On a normal day she would have another hour to slumber before her Master would send his children to wake her. Ester and Darcy would be in for a shock when they jumped on an empty bed.
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Sandra shook her head to shake off the bemusement and focus on her escape. She lifted her skirt, breaking into a desperate sprint. Stopped dead in her tracks by a familiar squishing.
Sandra whirled around.
“MYRTLE! Return to your chambers at once! You’ll catch your death from cold.”
She stood in nothing but a nightgown. Her short hair flew wild. Her face ghostly pale from the chill of night. Her tentacles poked out from beneath her nightgown. She shook her head fiercely.
“No! You cannot run from me. I need you!”
“For Atlan’s sake. I left a note for our Master and the other maids.”
Sandra bundled her coat around Myrtle's shoulders. She ran her fingers through the younger maid’s tangled hair to calm her.
“You will be safe here until I return.”
Myrtle took deep, shuddering breaths. Coming to her senses, the clumsy maid stumbled back to the manor. Sandra waited until she saw Myrtle's silhouette against the curtain before she crept onwards. The candle blew out. Sandra let out a breath she did not realize she was holding in.
I trust you. Don’t let me down. I do not have time to dawdle. My destiny is about to sail away.
***
Sandra found the unnamed ship without incident.
It’s too silent. Did I imagine the whole thing three days ago? How do I announce my arrival? Should I? I could try knocking on the hull like it’s a door? No. That’s ridiculous. I could call out…What was his name?
“Good morning, Miss Swift.” Maxwell bowed.
Charming. “Good morning, Mister Bayne.”
“Your timing is impeccable. Hodari is about to rouse the crew.”
“We’re departing in the dark? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“We’ll be in open water by the time the sun rises. This way. Quickly.”
Sandra realized the irony in my statement. Nobody knew where she was. If something happened to her, her Master would not find her until it was too late, if ever. She had no way of supporting herself. She was in the debt of this handsome stranger. Cooking and cleaning.
She inhaled sharply, lifting her skirt with trembling hands. Sandra followed Maxwell dutifully up the boarding plank. Despite watching sheep, pigs, cattle and donkeys traverse planks like it, she questioned the sturdiness with every creak. Maxwell smirked, noticing her hesitant expression.
“Make yourself acquainted with the lower deck. Don’t forget to eat and set my meal aside before you serve the crew. There will be nothing left by the time they finish. Bring my dinner to my quarters while everyone else is eating.”
What happened to the man I met three days ago?
***
After a quick tour, Sandra retreated to the galley (a ship’s equivalent of a kitchen) to think.
There is too much testosterone out there. I cannot endure another moment near…him. Those eyes. That hair. His fit, soft muscles.
The brunette splashed her face with cold water. Hoping it would shock some sense back into her. The brunette glanced around. She rummaged for some appropriate clothing. No more dresses and bonnets. She was one of THEM now.
By dinner time, Sandra looked like a cabin boy. Wearing a cap instead of her bonnet to conceal her long hair. She double checked to make sure that her maid attire was neatly folded and locked in an inconspicuous chest.
The crew was gobsmacked when they walked into the sight and aroma of a hearty, homemade buffet. The now ex-maid made use of the fresh produce, internally recalling her Master’s advice.
“Always use fresh food first. It always spoils before canned goods.”
And my personal favourite…
“One of the ways to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Master Featherstone laughed when the brunette asked him if that was why he married Mistress. She could not distinguish a mop from a broom. What else could it be?
The sixteen-year-old intended to impress Maxwell. She would not be dropped off at the nearest port whenever he grew bored of her. Sandra was a proud woman. Not a mule for trading.