Mr Lusk

If only he had his pipe, a warm fire and a glass of brandy. Then he would be able to think properly.

'That's rich. How was I supposed to know that attention would shift onto you? And... if you recall I had already been engaged to be at sea months beforehand.'

'Yes the colonies,' Mr Lusk said with mild contempt. It seemed to be Jack's standard defence. He was away in Australia when things took a turn for the worse. And if he had known he would have rushed back to help. If only he had thought Mr Lusk. For eight long years he had waited for Jack's return. Now that Jack was here he expected things to be rectified. They weren't.

At least not yet.

A blood curdling scream rang out. All eyes in the sitting room turned to Constable. The damn fool was at it again. And as soon as it started it ended.

Shaking his head Jack said, 'Something ought to be done about that fellow.'

'Not while I'm around I hope,' Mr Lusk said. He cast a wary gaze to Constable. The man was becoming more insufferable with every passing day.

'That wouldn't be helpful now would it?' Jack had a broad grin on his face. He gently touched the side pocket of his jacket. It was still there, it was always there. Ready and waiting. If it didn't involve Mr Lusk he would definitely see to Constable.

'Ahem,' Mr Lusk had noticed Jack's hand gliding over his jacket pocket. It had been eight years since he had last seen him but Mr Lusk didn't think Jack would have changed that much. No, Mr Lusk was quite certain Jack still carried it. Close at hand, as they say.

Jack locked eyes with his companion. A silent yes passed between them. But not now and not here. Later. Once Mr Lusk's problem had been dealt with. Jack was starting to believe that Constable was partly to blame for Mr Lusk's situation.

'Where were we?' Jack said. 'Ah yes. What are we going to do about your problem?'

'You could go to the authorities,' Mr Lusk blurted out. He instantly regretted it. The gleam in Jack's eyes wasn't normal. Mr Lusk began to laugh as if it had been a joke. He was relieved when his companion joined in.

Jack ran his thumb across his lips. The laughter abruptly died. Those seated nearby turned back to whatever it was they were doing. It wasn't nice to stare, especially when the laughing suddenly stops.

'Perhaps you should leave this to me,' Jack said.

'Like last time,' Mr Lusk sighed. He sank back into his chair. His shoulders wilting as if a great load had been removed. Only he knew that it was only temporary. It was Jack's fault he had a problem. Somehow letting Jack rectify it all by himself wasn't too comforting.

'Don't worry I've got it all in hand,' Jack stood up ending their meeting. He shook Mr Lusk's hand. He wiped the other man's sweat from his palm. The same hand slid into the side pocket of his jacket. It bulged and flattened as he felt inside. Barely concealing a smile Jack left his companion. He marked the darting eyes and quickly turning heads. He wasn't surprised to find Constable was one of them.

Mr Lusk fell asleep on a hard mattress. It wasn't comfortable but after eight years he was used to it. The same couldn't be said for his dreams. As he tossed and turned his mind drifted. Further and further away. The moon rose and illuminated the cloudless night sky.

Murmurs came from the dreamers. Whispered pleasures and concealed secrets. A stream of incomprehension, babble from Babel.