Her answer surprised me.
“I’m afraid.”
She stood so close that I could hear a little fluttering noise in her throat, as if she found it hard to breathe. I wondered if she was affected by the motion. She did not look as if she were. She was straight as a dart. And beautiful.
“Afraid? Of what?”
“Of the water. There is trouble on the sea. Evil spirits live on it.”
“You needn’t be afraid of evil spirits while you’re with me. Who’s put such notions into your head? English girls aren’t afraid of the sea. And you are English.”
“Is it alive?”
“Is what alive?”
“The ship?”
“The ship!”