Part 10
Jas. Hook
Poor Lizzie seemed fated to keep tripping over Conrad. She was walking in town lost in thought when, alongside her, she heard, "Did you get into Tom or, rather, did Tom get into you last night?" Conrad sniggered.
Lizzie was actually a bit frightened. Was there really some connection between her dreams and this odious young man?
"What, what do you mean?" she said turning to him. He was back in his yellow and black striped jumper.
"I mean did you enjoy 'Tom Sawyer', a perfectly sensible question since we discussed you reading the book yesterday. Did you get into it, did the book get really into your head?"
"Oh, no I didn't read it."
"Not even about Jackson's Island where the Tom, Joe and of course Huck go off to be pirates? Surely you did? Perhaps I was mistaken. Perhaps I dreamt you said you were going to read it. Do you dream a lot Lizzie? Do your dreams seem to be getting more and more real to you?" Conrad leaned forward. "I wonder if dreams and reality can come together, do you?"
"I, what do you mean, well that's a bit deep for me, and..."
"My story is about dreams and reality colliding, shall I read some to you? The piece I am writing at present is about journeying and choices, I am sure you will find it interesting and relevant... oh before I read, perhaps you would like some tea and cake?" They were passing the teashop. How could Lizzie escape? To her relief she saw Lotte.
"I'm sorry but I promised to meet my friend and there she is, bye!" Lizzie hurried across the road to Lotte.
Conrad stood on the pavement outside the teashop and watched them walk off. "Nearly there Lizzie, I've nearly got you. I think you're ready." He opened the door of the shop and went in.
Lizzie got into bed that night with some disquiet. She had not liked what Conrad had said today. Whilst he had given a reasonable explanation it did awfully seem like he knew what went on inside her dreams, could see inside her head, had actually been there watching her being fucked by Tom Sawyer. That just couldn't be — could it? Lizzie's mind went round and round and she tossed and turned trying to settle herself for sleep.
One green light squinting over Kidd's Creek, which is near the mouth of the pirate river, marked where the brig, the JOLLY ROGER, lay, low in the water; a rakish-looking craft foul to the hull, every beam in her detestable, like ground strewn with mangled feathers. She was the cannibal of the seas, and scarce needed that watchful eye, for she floated immune in the horror of her name.
She was wrapped in the blanket of night, through which no sound from her could have reached the shore. A few of the pirates leant over the bulwarks, drinking in the miasma of the night; others sprawled by barrels over games of dice and cards. Hook trod the deck in thought. From far within him he heard a creaking as of rusty portals, and through them came a stern tap-tap-tap, like hammering in the night when one cannot sleep. "Have you been good form to-day?" was their eternal question.
Hook was obsessed by form, by good form. Tiger Lily had a good form and he was determined to see it, to possess it, to enjoy it.
Lizzie was below, her hands and ankles were tied, and she was confused. This had not happened to her in any earlier dream. She knew, or was pretty sure she knew where she was captive. Clearly she was on a wooden ship, the movement and sound of the sea gave it away and she thought it would be Hook's ship. She could see she was Tiger Lily again. Lizzie hardly had time to ponder her predicament when the wretched prisoner was dragged from the hold, her bonds cut and she was ranged in front of Hook. She stood blinking in the unaccustomed light seeing not just Hook but the rest of his awful crew standing and sitting around the deck. For a time he seemed unconscious of her presence. He lolled at his ease, humming, not unmelodiously, snatches of a rude song, and fingering a pack of cards. Ever and anon the light from his cigar gave a touch of colour to his face.
"Now then, Tiger Lily," he said briskly, "you walk the plank to-night, but I have a mind to spare you on certain terms."
There was a murmur of surprise and then dawning realisation at what their captain probably meant.
"Stow that gab," roared Hook. "You, boy," he said, addressing an able seaman, "you look as if you had a little pluck in you. Didst never want to take a squaw, my hearty?"
The others laughed heartily and nudged each other. The Captain liked his women warmed up and young Tom Staines would be the one to do it. "I, I don't know what you mean Capt'n," he said.
"Terms?" Said Lizzie diffidently, not much enjoying this dream and wondering if Peter Pan would soon rescue her.
."Yes terms, I spare you the plank. You keep me pleasured with that sweet body of yours."
"You jest, of course."
"So, my beauty," said Hook, as if he spoke in syrup, "that seals your doom, you are to walk the plank. Strip her."
Discipline instantly relaxed; and the crew broke into a bacchanalian dance.
"Quiet, you scugs," he cried, "or I'll cast anchor in you"; and at once the din was hushed. "Starkey you do the deed."