A Welcome

We arrive at Duwamish Bay a little after sunrise. Solomon lands gently at the town’s fishing wharf which is already hive of activity. Men are busy stowing pots and nets on board their boats preparing for  the day ahead. The air is thick with the smell of fish and the men’s shouting voices. Men are filling the wharf with coils of rope and stacks of pots, huge boxes of ice and provisions.  The boats’ engines are running, filling the air with the thick stink of diesel. In the midst of all this purpose and action I start to feel out of place and in the way.  Solomon begins to get a little skittish around the bustle and the noise so I slip off the saddle and walk beside him to keep him calm. I try to lead him without getting in the way of the fishermen. I can hear them muttering and grumbling to each other as I try to pick my way through their preparations,

 ”Bloody tourists…bloody horses… it’s not a bloody racecourse”

“Oi! Missy! How much for your horse?” a rough voice calls out. A short, graying, thickset man leans over the side of his boat and grins, ” I could catch a lot of crays with that meat.”

I laugh and Solomon’s ears flatten in dismay. I pat his neck reassuringly.

“I could eat my own weight in cray tails, sir, but this boy is far too precious for bait. I’ll have to settle for paying for them in coin like everyone else here.”

The man laughs and winks,

“I’m Ida Wilcox’s brother Tom. We deliver our catch to the inn this afternoon,  I’ll be sure to let her know which crays are yours. Now you best be quick and grab a room. They’re going fast. Ida’s in a real flap, got some special guest turnin’ up at midnight… why she can’t arrive in daylight like everyone else has got me beat. She won’t say who it is but I’m under strict instruction only to bring the best tunny and cray to her kitchen. Got me confused though, I thought I already got her the best.”

We laugh again,

“Thanks Tom, I’m looking forward to dinner already.”

Tom waves and is instantly lost to me, busy preparing his men and his boat for their trip. After my conversation with Tom the rest of the men resist commenting  further and I make my way in relative peace from the wharf to Duwamish Bay Inn.

At the inn I find a middle aged woman, dressed in overalls, sitting on the front steps, a mop and bucket next to her and a big mug of coffee in her hands.

“Ida?”

“That’s my name, what can I do for you?”

“I’ve come from Mrs. Luff’s stables. I’d like a room please, only your brother said you were very busy and there might not be  one left. “

Oh, don’t pay any attention to him,” Ida grins,” I always have room for Night Riders, besides that man doesn’t know which way is up unless he’s on a boat. I’ll bet he offered you a crayfish as well.

She drains her mug in a few gulps , stands and stretches then smiles again and offers her hand.

“Welcome to Duwamish Bay Inn dear”, she says as we shake hands,” Tom’s dead keen to ride one of Mrs. Luff’s fancy horses. Hopes he can bribe someone one of these days. Even if he was allowed he wouldn’t. Poor sod’s got no head for heights. That man will stay at sea in the height of a raging storm that would make strong men cry for their mothers.  Yet if I ask him to get up a ladder to wash my windows he comes over all peculiar and has to have a lie down. He catches me good fish though. And always a few extra for my special guests!”

She winks at me and at once I can see a resemblance to her brother.

“Now let’s get you sorted so you can start exploring our town.”