such a small and private room. Edging past him, she made her way to the door. Just before he closed it, he held up the clothes and shoes and said, “Thank you again for this. I appreciate it, miss.”
The urge to rush back in, reach out, and hug him came to her, but she stifled it, and instead smiled and pointed to the sink. “Get washed and changed before you catch a chill, and come down when you’re ready.” Steam billowed toward her as he turned on the taps. “But just before I go, could you do me a favor?” It seemed wrong to her that somebody who had done something so great should have to refer to her so formally. “Please stop calling me miss. My name’s Elizabeth.”
Tom just smiled, nodded his head. “I know that,” he said, before closing the bathroom door.
* * *
Elizabeth’s fingers tingled against the hot mugs of tea that she’d made for the people who had stuck around after the accident. Once those drinks were in the hands of the helpers, she set about mopping up the patches of seawater that Tom had left behind with a rag she found under the sink, then swept up the sand that crunched underfoot as she walked. It was another fifteen minutes before folks began to leave, reassured by the fact that Catherine Davenport was in bed and out of danger. Elizabeth returned to the living room to find it almost empty.
“You’re leaving?” she asked James when she saw him buttoning his coat. Her father was finishing up what looked to be a large measure of brandy. Judging from his rosy cheeks, it was unlikely to have been his first. His eyes were still red and swollen from tears.
“I am going to leave you both in peace,” James said, reaching to stroke Elizabeth’s face.
“We need to get some rest,” said her father as he stood up from his chair, setting his glass down on a small table. Elizabeth couldn’t bear the thought of how terrible he must be feeling. He swept her up in a tight embrace. “Stop worrying now, eh? She’s going to be fine.” It was the safest place Elizabeth had ever known, yet still her father nodded to James, who was hovering next to them. “Tell her, won’t you? She’ll listen to you.”
“Your father’s right, Lizzy. She’s going to be just fine.” As James went to continue, they heard the creak of the staircase, the plod of heavy feet. They turned to see Tom arriving in the hallway. Elizabeth’s father stepped forward, reaching for Tom’s hand.
“Hello, young man, or should I say the hero of the hour. I believe you are the person who saved my wife.”
Tom nodded.
“I don’t know how to thank you enough,” her father said. “Please, tell me your name.”
Tom remained quiet, his fingers fussing at a fray in the sweater. “This is Thomas, Daddy,” Elizabeth said, stepping in. “We actually used to go to school together.”
“Well, we are very grateful to you, Thomas,” her father said. “But I’m surprised to hear you were at school with Elizabeth. You look older.”
“A little bit, sir.”
“So, are you working now?”
“When I can. Mainly pollack and mackerel, plus a bit of netting for crayfish.” Fishermen populated both Tom’s and Elizabeth’s family trees as far back as anybody knew. “I have been working for Mr. Cressa for the last three years, and where I can during the winter.”
“Three years?” Her father shared a glance with James. “How old are you? Twenty-one? Twenty-two?”
“Eighteen, sir.”
Elizabeth’s father appeared puzzled. “You didn’t choose to continue your education?”
Tom couldn’t maintain his gaze then. “I learned what I had to, sir. Now I help my family.”
“Well,” said Dr. Davenport, “that is very admirable. You must tell me your father’s name so that I can congratulate him on having such a fine young man as a son.”
“It’s Pat Hale,” said Tom.
Her father took a moment, a heavy breath in. “Pat Hale, eh? You’re his eldest son.”
“His only son, sir.”
“Yes, of course. I remember the unfortunate incident with your brother. I’m afraid I didn’t recognize you.” Elizabeth watched her father, his mind elsewhere. “Well, I do hope that in some of your father’s sober moments he finds the time to be proud of you.” Elizabeth noticed Tom’s cheeks flush, and just for a moment she wondered what had transpired, and why her father had said something so cruel. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Thomas.” He patted him on the shoulder, guided him toward