Poppy could of course make her own way to church, but it was becoming very clear to her that the Saunders family already viewed her and Francis as a couple.
What did you expect?
“I don’t know. I haven’t been to a church mass in a very long time. The last was when I lived in Spain, and that was a Catholic service.”
Francis set his spoon down and turned to her. “When exactly did you live in Spain?”
The word live wasn’t exactly how she would have described it. Her father had abandoned her in Spain. It had taken everything for Poppy just to survive. George had dropped her off at the front gates of a nunnery in Tarragona when she was thirteen, and it had been a long and difficult two years before she saw her father again. The nuns had been kind, but they hadn’t quite known what to do with the strange English girl.
She didn’t want to rehash that time with other people. And not with virtual strangers. They might well have their firm ideas as to where her relationship with Francis was likely headed, but Poppy knew better. Between now and the dream of a fancy church wedding stood the specter of the spice tender.
“I lived in Spain for two years when I was a young girl. I have lived in many places. Ceylon was only the latest. Before that I was in various cities in India, the Caribbean, and ports along the Mediterranean. I’ve even spent time in Africa.”
Hattie’s eyes lit up. “Where abouts in Africa have you been? Have you ever sailed to Freetown, in the colony of Sierra Leone?”
Poppy nodded. “I have been to many places in Africa, and yes, I’ve called in at the port of Freetown. Though to be honest, it’s somewhere that I avoid stopping at if possible. Outside of the colony, it is still thick jungle, and the local tribes are regularly at war with one another.”
Will and Hattie exchanged an odd look. Will opened his mouth, but Hattie held up her hand. “When were you last there?”
Why is she so interested in Sierra Leone?
“About six weeks ago. We stopped for fresh water and food on the journey up the west coast. But we were only in port for as long as it took to replenish our supplies, and most of the crew stayed on board ship. Freetown is not a particularly safe place. Why do you ask?”
Hattie’s hands were settled on the table, but she held them together tightly. Francis’s sister-in-law seemed a little too interested in the far-flung colony of Sierra Leone. Poppy was surprised she had even heard of the place.
“I ask because my parents are missionaries. They have gone to Freetown to minister to the local people,” said Hattie.
Oh.
There were tears glistening in her eyes. “I was hoping perhaps you might have seen the new church they were building. Or even met my mother or father.”
This is exactly the reason why I shouldn’t have come. I speak too plainly for these people.
“I am sorry, Hattie; I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m not used to keeping my thoughts to myself. Freetown is a fine place. I am sure your parents will do well there.” Her words sounded as hollow as they felt.
Hattie pulled her hands away and rose stiffly from the table. Will got to his feet. “Are you alright?” he asked.
She gave him an unconvincing nod. “Yes, just a little tired. I might go and lay down for a moment in the sitting room. I shall join you again when the next course arrives. Excuse me.”
As Hattie departed the room, an embarrassed Poppy silently stared at her hands resting in her lap. She wished she was anywhere but there.
The damage had been done. She had been too honest with her captain’s review of the colony. But Freetown was a tough place, and Poppy certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be a missionary in the heat of West Africa.
“I am so sorry. I had no idea,” she said.
Will sighed. “Don’t blame yourself. Hattie and her parents knew what Sierra Leone was like before they sailed. It was a choice. A calling they felt they had to answer.”
But Hattie was here in London, and her family were a long way away. Poppy pushed back from her chair. “Let me go and talk to her.”
Across the hall she found Hattie in the sitting room. She was seated on the edge of a plush sofa, wiping at her face with a lady’s handkerchief. Tears were pouring down her cheeks. Poppy quietly closed the door behind her and hurried to Hattie’s side.
“I am so, so sorry Hattie. I didn’t mean to cause you distress.”
“It’s alright. I should have told you about my parents. In my silly mind, I imagined that you had met my parents and seen the new church they were building. It’s probably just guilt on my part.”
“Guilt?”
‘I was meant to go with them, but I changed my mind and jumped ship in Gibraltar. Climbed to the end of the gangplank and leapt into the middle of the harbor.”
