They had sold their load and he had handed the lines to Anne to be mucked. Will had offered to clean up alone. The weather was good and he'd rather his father stretch his legs. For once, Ben had swallowed his pride and accepted the offer. These days his joints were always stiff and sore when he came back from sea and his mind... well his mind was always occupied with worry nowadays: Alice most of all, but also Rose, Maggie, even Anne was unwell now. Elijah.. And then there were the financial worries, the ongoing issue with his lungs, the police. He could do with a walk. Bless his perceptive lad. Will was older than his years.

He had walked up to the east pier, before returning over the bridge and making his way along the harbour. He was about to turn and head home, when he spotted James. He had been meaning to speak to his son-in-law. If he could ease his worry about Maggie, that was one thing off his mind. But as he approached, he spotted the bottle sticking out of the haversack and frowned.

"James," he greeted when he was right behind the lad. "What are you doing here all by yourself?"