Family Luck 3

Jude clung to the side of the rocking boat and hurled.
"You'll get used to it," said Jeb, one of the hands. They had been sailing for two days now and he hadn't got used to it yet.
"How much further to Newcastle?"
"Twill be a few days yet, lad," said the skipper, Master Tweedy.

Jude had learned that this ship would be going between Newcastle and London on a regular basis, carrying coal; it was worth the seasickness to know that he would be able to spend a little time ashore in London on each trip, time to search for Barnaby. When they reached Newcastle the skipper took Jude to his home.

"This is the new cabin boy, Ma," Tweedy pushed the lad forward.
"And what's your name, pet?" A large, jolly face looked into Jude's.
"Jude Luck, Maam."
"Away with ya, we don't stand on ceremony 'round here. I'm Ma Tweedy to all. Wash all that coal dust off yer face and hands and I'll see what we have for supper. I'm guessing your a might hungry after loosing your supper on the trip."

How did she know? But the more Jude got to know Ma Tweedy, the more he realised, she knows everything about boys, and men for that matter. In a matter of hours she had his life story.
"Don't you fret, pet; the Master will help you find your brother."

The sailing was easier with a full load of coal. Jude managed to keep down a diet of bread and water. And he had something to look forward to.
"I've got to oversee the unloading, but you can go ashore and look for your brother. I suggest you go to the Parish church; they keep records there."

"Can I help you, son?" the Vicar asked, as a black faced urchin wandered in from the streets.
"I'm looking for my brother," Jude whispered.
"Well, you won't find him here," the Vicar joked.
"Yes I will, in the records; Master Tweedy said so."

"Can you read boy?"
"I know my ABCs,"
"But can you read your brother's name?" He laid the large volume on the lectern.
"I ... I think so,"
"But do you know so?" He looked at the boy. "Hrmph! I suppose I'll have to do it for you. Name?"
"Barnaby Luck."

After some page turning, the Vicar took a pencil and notebook from his pocket.
"It says he was apprenticed to a shoemaker in Cheapside, but no actual address. I'll write that down for you." Jude looked at the scrawl on the paper; he had only learned simple letters, this was indecipherable. But he could remember shoemaker and Cheapside.

Jude returned to the ship to find the unloading was finished.
"How long before we set sail?" he asked Master Tweedy.
"Within the hour, lad. We must catch the tide. No time for more searching today."