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their days outside were numbered.
    “He’s a handsome man,” observed Lucy, but her attention remained on Sarah.
    Sarah watched as Jamie leaned over the child, showing her how to hold the fishing pole. “Yes,” she sighed, and in that moment, she decided to tell Lucy the truth. She turned to confess her deception, but from the look in Lucy’s eyes she could tell that the other woman had already guessed the truth.
    “You’ve figured it out.” Sarah held the other woman’s gaze.
    Lucy nodded. “But I’d like to hear it from you.”
    Sarah glanced around to make sure she couldn’t be overheard. “It feels so good to finally tell you this, Lucy. I’m not married, and I’m sorry I pretended otherwise.” She shifted her position so she could look directly at the other woman. “I didn’t see how I could possibly make the trip as a single woman.”
    Lucy raised her eyebrows, but remained silent.
    “You see...” Sarah plucked a piece of embroidery thread from her skirt. “...everything changed for me on Valentine’s Day, when my fiancé and I decided that we didn’t love each other enough to go through with marriage.”
    “A wise decision.”
    Sarah looked up, startled. “Do you think so?”
    “I wouldn’t say so, otherwise.” Lucy’s tone was matter-of-fact.
    “No, of course you wouldn’t.” Sarah continued her explanation. “Fortunately for me, my mother understood when I told her I wanted to get away. She helped me plan everything right up to my escape.”
    Lucy set down her embroidery. “Your escape?”
    Sarah frowned. “I’ve made it sound more dramatic than it really was. But mother and I both knew that I couldn’t leave when my father was around, so we managed to book passage on this ship which was scheduled to depart while father was in New York at a medical conference.”
    Lucy picked up her embroidery again. “That’s right. You told me your father was a doctor. Is his name Devon?”
    “No, that’s my brother’s name.”
    “Another doctor?”
    Sarah laughed. “Not a chance. My father was greatly disappointed when Devon told him he wasn’t interested. No, Dev still hasn’t decided what he wants to do, although he’s working now at a ship’s chandlery.” She paused to think. “He could probably be very good at it if he tried.”
    A squeal of delight came from the ship’s rail. Melissa had hooked a fish. Lucy’s face softened as she watched Jamie with her. “He’s attracted to you. You must be aware of that.”
    Jamie hauled in a small fish which flopped on the deck. “Yes,” she said. “But I’m hoping you’ll keep my secret.”
    Lucy considered her request for a few moments. “For the time being. But when we get to California, you might find it helpful to have a male friend. I hear it’s a rough place, and that’s putting it mildly.” She tilted her head. “Not to be indelicate, but do you have enough money?”
    “I hope so. My grandmother left me some money, and my mother went to New York and sold some valuable jewellery that she’d inherited.” She thought of the money tucked away in her trunk. “I’m not afraid to work, and in the meantime I’m sure I have enough to get established.”
    “We shall see.” Lucy shoved her work into a carpet bag as Melissa came running over with her fish.
    “Yes,” murmured Sarah. “We shall see.”
     
    * * *
     
    After supper that night, the captain turned serious as he looked at each of his passengers in turn. “You saw me exchange signals this morning with that frigate.”
    “What was that about, Captain Johnson?” Sarah had been curious all day.
    “We exchanged latitude and longitude. Passing ships do that from time to time as it’s an excellent way to confirm our position. He doubled the Cape three weeks ago.”
    It was difficult not to shudder. Doubling the Cape was the most dangerous part of the voyage.
    “He’s sailed this route most of his life, and he informed me that the weather is particularly foul