The Tunisian

Chapter 25: The Tunisian

In the 21st century the small town of Whitby is known for 2 things, “Dracula” and fishing. Tourists flock to see the evocative ruins atop the hill on the south bank of the River Esk and other locations featured in the famous gothic novel, but the town itself is shrinking due to its relative isolation.

However when Priscilla visited it, although it had a numerically similar population Whitby was much more prominent. Not only was it the outlet for the moors’ alum industry and possessed a major shipbuilding industry, but it was also a trading centre where boats from all over Northern Europe and beyond converged. In addition there was a thriving whaling industry.

Predictably the first-time tourist made her way to the docks. Many new sights and smells entered her senses for once masking the background stench. Having appraised the ships and having come to no conclusion, she knew no better than to enter a portside alehouse to consider what the hell she thought she was doing. Witnessing the obvious sense of wonder of the beautiful fish out of water, while everyone around her went about what they thought of as their mundane business, a dark stranger followed her into the public house.

Ali Husayn was a shrewd man. Yes he had powerful relations but was just too distant to be cocooned in power and luxury so he had to earn his money and position. He judged Priscilla Hawksby might just be one of those girls which would help him do that. Instead of going to the bar he noted she had sat down at a table expecting to be served but this was a low class establishment not one of those inns or taverns which one would have expected her to visit. At this time in the morning, the place was devoid of drunken sailors. Nevertheless he did not want to risk anyone else claiming his prize so he made straight for her.

Being a well travelled and educated man, the Tunisian spoke very good English and politely asked whether he might sit with her. Not really aware of the rules of society, or she would not have entered a pit like this in the first place, she was easily persuaded when he offered to buy her a drink. Like many better off Moslems at the time he was not averse to supping **** in private or abroad and brought back 2 glasses of red wine. He was somewhat surprised with the unladylike gulp in which she attacked her drink, but less so at the consequent coughing and spluttering.

“Forgive me.” she pleaded “That was a poor way to repay your kindness.”

“Tell me, what is such a pearl as yourself doing in such an insalubrious location.”

“I came to seek passage but now I do not know where to or how to go about obtaining such?”

“You do not know where you want to go?” Ali was incredulous.

“I want to travel and have adventures.”

“Where is your family?”

“Oh, they all died leaving me with a small fortune. They wanted me to wed an old landowner, but now I am free.”

“Your family died? How terrible!”

Priscilla strained to express some mock tears and Ali used the opportunity to move next to her and squeeze her for comfort. He thought best not to enquire how this had happened, but praised Allah that it had.

“I can tell by your dress that you are a proper lady. My ship is travelling to the Mediterranean calling at many countries and it so happens we have a spare cabin for a woman of distinction like I believe you are. You can leave at which ever port you choose.”

The prospective passenger was excited and proceeded to attempt to impress Ali with her knowledge, mentioning that her father was, or rather had been, a knight. After another glass she had convinced herself that this was the right course of action and she could trust her exotic drinking companion.

He led her out of the pub, which was by that time considerably busier and straight onto one of the largest and finest ships in the harbour. It was largely deserted as most of the crew were enjoying themselves in the town often with the local floozies. Those that Priscilla did see were replete with jewellery. Ali pointed at a ladder.

“The cabin is down there if you care to look it over”

This was not quite what she expected and it was not easy in her dress but she successfully negotiated the descent with great concentration. Before she realised what was happening, strong hands gripped and threw her into a dark windowless room. She cried out but no-one could hear except for the guards, a few sailors and the multitude of women trapped with her.