All right, Mr Penrose?’ Broad murmured. Tucking the book under her arm, Kerenza took them. Now wrapped in strips of blanket, their warmth was instantly comforting. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘Tea’s here, miss,’ Toy added. ‘I’ll be back in a moment.’ She left Nick conferring with the two men and went into the cabin. Tossing the book onto her cot, she placed one bottle by Judith’s feet then leant in to put the other at her back. ‘How often are the pains coming?’ Releasing a shuddering breath, Judith drew another and let it out more easily. ‘That was the first since you left.’ How long had she been with Nick? Ten minutes? Less? ‘Toy is waiting outside with the tea. And to afford us more space, Mr Penrose has suggested taking my trunk to his cabin now that he has moved into the captain’s. May I allow them in to remove it?’ ‘Yes.’ Kerenza heard the uncertainly and guessed Judith felt keenly the indignity of her situation.
