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at his brother. “We lost them. Or they lost us.”  
    “How careless,” the captain said, gruffly.  
    Behind them Jonah sniggered.  
    “They left us on Shetland.” Conall shuffled from foot to foot. “We were travelling to Svalbard, to find a new home. But something went wrong, we don’t know what. One day they were gone. That was ten years ago. We want to find them. If they’re still alive.”  
    The captain kept up his stare. “Why? If they abandoned you?”  
    “They didn’t mean to. I’m sure of that. There’s a chance they got to Svalbard, couldn’t get back to us.”  
    “It’s a tragic tale,” Jonah said, his voice mocking.  
    Conall glanced once more at Faro, waiting for some support, but his brother stood stone-faced.  
    “I understand you’ve met my daughter,” the captain said. “Took advantage of her compassionate nature. She told me about bringing food to you. And no, she didn’t give you away. It was Jonah’s men that discovered you.”  
    “She was very kind,” Faro said, his voice flat, purged of emotion, as if he feared to give something away. “She took pity on us, when we were in need. You should be proud of her.”  
    The captain glared at Faro, sizing him up. “Is that right? Well I’m glad I’ve got you here to set me right on that point.”  
    Deflect his anger. Change the subject. Conall looked back over his shoulder towards Jonah. “We only want passage to Svalbard, to search for our parents. We’re willing to work.”
    “And why should we trust you, when you come sneaking aboard? You don’t know much about sailing a ship, I’ll be bound,” Jonah said. “What use are you?”  
    “We can learn.”  
    “Oh, I’ve got to teach you now, have I?” Jonah tapped his cane on the floor.
    Conall turned back to face the captain. “We can cook, clean, pull on ropes as well as anyone.”  
    “And you brought a dog aboard?” The captain closed his book of charts with a thump.
    “Couldn’t leave him. Don’t hurt him.”  
    “Do I look like a man who’s cruel to animals?” The captain’s voice was softer. “People maybe, they’re less deserving, in my experience. More likely to cause trouble for no good reason.” He glared at the boys once more. “Mr Argent has a point. How do we know we can trust you?”  
    “Our word.” Faro stood straight, staring ahead, not meeting the captain’s eye.  
    Conall took half a step forward. His legs were almost pressed against the captain’s table. “Your first mate can tell you, I was working at the inn on Lerwick. They trusted me. I’ve worked there before. They know me.”  
    “He tells the truth,” Jonah said.  
    “Yet you sneak aboard my ship. Steal eggs from my chickens, lead my daughter astray.”  
    The room fell silent. Conall could tell the discussion was done. It all came down to the captain’s decision. In the corner of the room, a clock ticked. Sails flapped in the wind. The wooden deck creaked as Jonah shifted his weight, scraping the cane across the polished planks. Still Faro stared at the wall above the captain’s head.  
    Conall bit his cheek. Did he dare ask? “She never told us her name.”  
    “Never mind her name. You’re not to speak to my daughter, either of you, understand?” The captain fumbled with paperwork. He paused. Frowned. “Her name is Heather. You will call her Miss Hudson. But you’re not to speak to her. Unless it’s essential. Ship’s business. Or she speaks to you, which she won’t after I’ve finished having a word with her. Jonah, can you put these boys to work?”  
    “You’ll take us to Svalbard?”  
    “Quiet.” Jonah clipped Conall’s ear. “You’ll speak when you’re allowed if you’re part of my crew. Yes sir, I can make use of them, if I must. No time to train them up proper, not worth it if they’re only going that far. But you never know sir, if they’ve the skill, a few weeks at sea and they might get a taste for it.”