Anne looked at the state of Thomas, her five year old son. He was covered head to foot in thick mud.
When Anne had sent Thomas out to play, as soon as the rain had stopped, she had barely closed the door on him when he'd come trampling back in, dripping from rain water and smeared with mud on every available inch of him.
Anne was on the edge of telling Thomas off, he knew best that he had few clothes, that his poor mother barely had enough money to cloth him, let alone the time available to clean his clothes in an instant.
Yet, this moment was far too amusing to upset the boy. And there were so few times that the mother and son were able to laugh now.
Anne laughed heartily and as relief spread through Thomas' system, he was laughing too.
The moment passed all too quickly as Anne looked about her to all the work that needed to be done.
"Get your britches off Thomas, and put them in the bucket to soak," she instructed wearily and Thomas snapped eagerly to attention to do as she wished.
Anne was thankful to have such an obedient son, who was mature far beyond his years. Yet, this fact still displaced her deep inside, Thomas had not been blessed with a playful childhood that most his age had, he had started growing up far too early, and his childhood had been somewhat shorter than what would seem normal.
It saddened her, as Anne had always though that a child his age should be playing with friends, causing mischief at school and enjoying the few years that were simplistic and free. Yet Thomas could not even attend any kind of school.
Five years ago, Anne had met a merchant sailor and fallen hastily in love with him. Perhaps it had been her age, of not more than seventeen, Anne had been dreaming of a perfect romance for some time. Anne admitted she had been stupid, but she would not trade Thomas for anything.
The sailor had been handsome and charming and Anne, falling for him immediately had also fallen quickly to his bed, ignoring all her mother's warnings of being out of wedlock. Anne had been young and naïve, the sailor had told her he was going to port in a few short days and Anne had wanted to imprint his love on her forever, and not in the way she'd planned when she'd ended up with Thomas nine months later. And certainly not when the sailor had purposely never come back, despite his promise.
Anne was now alone, shunned by the community, a woman without a husband and with a child! Rumours flew thick and fast in this little town, a small coast side town in the Caribbean. Anne had lived here for some years and nothing could escape the inhabitants, they all knew of her 'sin'. She was mostly ignored and certainly warned off by other nobler woman of the area.
Anne sighed and sat down to her sewing, her own occupation. Anne and Thomas lived above the dressmaker's shop in the town, earning their keep by Anne's sewing. The dressmaker was quite horrible and constantly gave Anne more work than she could handle, which saw Anne through many a night without sleep.
Anne sighed sadly. This was the only life she could handle. There was nothing left for her here really, what kept her anchored was Thomas, whom she only wanted the best for and couldn't afford. He was a bright child, whom could have excelled very much in school, had he the opportunity to go.
Anne had rethought her options time and time again, coming up with little. She had even gone to such lengths as to consider prostitution. Yet, she'd immediately shook away the thought. That was not the life she would choose for Thomas, he did not deserve to be shunted about whilst his mother had secret 'meetings' with other men.
Yet, Anne always believed in hope. There had to be a better option and if it was just a manner of time she had to wait, then she would do so.
"Jack Sparrow!"
Anne stiffened when she heard the name, pretending she was not in the room at all. She clutched her package quite close to her bosom and wished Madame Faywell would hurry up and fishing scolding her twenty-year-old daughter.
Of course, Anne had heard the name 'Jack Sparrow' before, and knew of his adventures. A pirate captain she had heard he was. Somewhat of a womaniser and scoundrel, who would take all the gold from your pocket without a second thought.
But Anne knew why the old Madame Faywell was scolding her almost adult daughter Lucy. She had tried not to hear every word, but Madame Faywell was not the quietest woman in the town, and Anne had been invited in to deliver her new dress, having finished it mere moments ago. Now standing in the room next door to the arguing mother and daughter, Anne knew she shouldn't be listening.
Jack Sparrow, as it seemed, was not only a scoundrel. But he was devilishly handsome and charming to boot.
Anne had never seen him, but had heard stories, mostly from the gossiping women who entered the shop, talking of him excitedly, giggling as he was a pirate, but had intrigued the entire women population of their tiny village.
"But mother!" cried Lucy in protest from the other room. "I merely wished to catch a glimpse of him, there's a rumour that his ship is coming into port this evening!"
"A young lady such as yourself should be married already! I will not have this nonsense of seeing a pirate such as Jack Sparrow, I forbid it! You will be staying at the house tonight, and not venturing out!"
There was a sob of protest, but Madame Faywell had already left the room, and bustled to where Anne was to accept the package and give payment. She did so as Anne tried her best to look normal and not like she had heard the entire conversation from the other room.
Madame paused only long enough to look Anne's tattered rags up and down in disgust, before excusing Anne from the house. Anne did so hurriedly, not wanting to be under Madame Faywell's judging stare any longer than she had to!
By the time Anne had finished her deliveries that evening, the sun was long lost beyond the horizon and houses were lit from the inside, a warm glow in the air. The pub was a ruckus tonight, with loud music and even louder voices heard from the inside. Perhaps the pirates had come to port. Anne looked to the ports at the coastline, but it was far to dark at this time to see anything. The sky was deserted of any stars and only the candlelight from nearby houses allowed her to see where she was going. Anne hurried past the pub, not caring to look inside and thinking of Thomas, who had been at the house alone for some time now and was expecting a dinner when she got home. Anne looked at what she had got. She held day old bread in her hands. It was not much; she seemed to be getting less and less these days for her money. Not many of the people she delivered to tipped much either.
Perhaps it was her reputation in the town that so many people looked down their noses at her. Anne was furious at this, hating the way the 'noble' people judged the others. She was not a bad person, somewhat nicer than the nobles she thought!
Anne rounded the corner to the shop, not surprised to see the dressmaker had already packed up for the day.
She was surprised however to see a figure loitering near the shop door. Anne moved closer and the figure turned at her footsteps. She was surprised even more when a grimy face smiled toothily at her, displaying several gold teeth.
Anne stood back always, fright being her first reaction to this man standing before her.
He was not very tall, but taller than Anne was by several inches. He wore tattered clothes and large dust covered boots, coming just below his knees. His hair was beaded and deadlocked, a bandana wrapped around his head completing his look.
Anne gulped. This man was certainly a pirate.
The man saw her fright and held his hands up in innocence.
"No, no love!" he said hastily, flashing another smile her way, "I've not come to hurt ye!"
Anne did not relax for a second. Her eyed flicked to above the shop, fearing for Thomas' safety. What did this pirate want with her? If she was to be taken away, Thomas would have nothing!
The pirate pressed on.
"I've actually been wanting some 'elp really," he said, walking disjointedly towards her. Anne straightened herself to full height, looking braver than she felt. If he thought she was going to be his whore, she'd have nothing of it!
"I'm afraid I do not offer those kind of services sir!" she proclaimed and stepped around him to the door of the shop, fiddling with her key.
She turned her back to the pirate, wincing expecting a blow any minute now.
The pirate stood still for a moment before he realised what Anne was saying.
"No, no! I didn' mean 'tha'!" he said hastily, "I meant I need a seamstress!"
Anne paused, not unlocking the shop just yet, afraid if she did so the pirate could get to Thomas.
The pirate saw the worry on her face.
"Look love," he said, taking off his coat, making Anne fear for the worst, "I jus' wanted te get a repair, that's all."
He held his somewhat dirty coat out to her.
"The linings come undone," he said, still holding it as Anne refused to take it. "Are ye able to fix it?"
Anne took the jacket from him slowly; somewhat more assured he would not hurt her. She gingerly looked in the sleeve lining and saw it was coming apart and in need of some urgent repair.
She nodded, slowly, for the first time standing in front of the pirate, seeing him properly.
His eyes twinkled in the little light, with a promise of adventure to him. He stood hands of slim hips; his shirt unbuttoned just enough to let Anne blush. Below all his dirt and grime, Anne could see he was very handsome.
"That's great!" he said, holding his hand forward, with a few dirty gold coins in it. "'Alf now and 'alf later?" he said.
Anne looked down at the coins; there was far too much money here for even the entire job! No matter how in need she was, there was no may she would swindle someone out of money.
"Sir, that is far too much money!" she exclaimed, "You only need to pay me half that much for the entire repairs! And you only need to pay me when the job is done!"
The pirate smiled again, a handsome grin this time.
He took Anne's hand, which now seemed detached from her body as he touched it. Despite the pirate he was, he was quite gentle.
He turned her palm side up and dropped the coins in her palm.
"Ye can hav' this as extra then,' he said, closing her fingers around the coins, turning her hand over and kissing the top of her hand.
Anne stood stock still, heat rushing through her as it never had before.
"Now, may I ask ye name so I know who de call upon tomorrow?"
Anne swallowed, he expected it tomorrow? That soon? She had finished all her deliveries, but it looked like another long night.
"My name is Anne, if you call anytime tomorrow, it shall be done," she said.
The pirate laughed.
"I wouldn't want ye to work so hard!" he exclaimed, "tomorrow evening is fine!"
Anne breathed out quickly, at least she would have some time then!
"And for ye trouble, I'll bring ye double what I jus' gave ye, how 'bout that?"
Anne's eyes bulged.
"You needn't do that!"
"But I wish to," he said softly, bowing low and turning to leave. Anne looked over his body one last time, as he walked away, allowing herself one pleasure, knowing it was wicked but for a second not caring, there was no one else around!
Her eyes caught on his arm for a moment, recognising the tattoo emblazoned, just above his wrist.
A sparrow, over a sunset!
She'd just spoken to Captain Jack Sparrow!
"Bye love!" he called back to her and disappeared into the darkness.
Anne stood still in shock for a few moments, before hurrying inside, holding the captain's jacket.
Jack Sparrow walked away in content. He hadn't meant to kiss her like he just did, but the craving to do so had kicked into gear quicker and stronger than he could fight it off. He had never expected the local seamstress to be so lovely!
She was slim figured, and Jack didn't call himself an expert, but could tell she had a body that had bore children before. Yet she was thin enough to see she ate little.
He had looked to her hands and saw no rings and no male was around to accompany her so late at night. He'd assumed she was a widow, which really did make him happier somewhere deep down inside. Her long brown hair had caught his attention too, a treasure he wanted to touch more than any other treasure he'd hunted for over the years. But it was her deep brown eyes that had stopped him in his tracks most of all, they were beautiful, yet held a sadness that broke his heart.
Perhaps he didn't really need his jacket so soon, but the desire to see Anne again was too much to bear.