Shifting slightly on the seat, he glanced out of the window. The two of them were sitting in a third-class carriage on the train travelling to Leeds and beyond. Its final destination was Scotland.

Blackie explained, ‘People were seasick. Many passed out from exhaustion, and some nearly fell overboard when the ship rocked and swayed. Another boy and me, well, we clung together and managed to stay alert, and upright. Still, I’ll tell ye, Uncle Pat, we had to use all of our strength to survive the lashing sea. All I can add is that it was cold, wet and dangerous, but, somehow, we managed.’

Patrick couldn’t help smiling when he said, ‘Let’s face it, you’re a young and strong spalpeen. Of course you made it, but I don’t fancy it again.’

Blackie eyed his uncle, and shook his head. ‘In my opinion ye would’ve been all right. Mam used to tell me ye were a tough man, strong as an ox, and that I should pattern meself after ye.’

‘Ellen was always singing my praises, sure and she was, Blackie. Close we two were, growing up.’ A sad smile crossed his face at thoughts of his late sister.

Settling back against the seat, his eyes taking in the train and all the details of the carriage, Blackie considered his uncle for a moment, and then said in a grateful tone, ‘I want to thank ye, Uncle Pat, for bringing me to Leeds and offering me a new life. It is right kind of ye.’

‘My pleasure, lad, I wanted to do it, and I’d promised Ellen I’d look after you, and also give you a fresh start.’

‘I didn’t understand at first why Michael and Siobhan said Dennis had to see me onto the ship. But I’m glad he did. The docks were noisy, busy with people getting on ships to America, Canada, all kinds of places. I needed him to survive it.’ Blackie paused, and after a moment he added, ‘And will ye have to repay Dennis for minding me, a’course?’

Patrick nodded. ‘He’d have kept an eye on you, his mother and Father O’Donovan arranged that. But yes, I gave him some money for his trouble. Always pay your debts, Blackie, and be sure to make it earlier rather than later. That puts you on the winner’s side, sure and it does. And people will trust you, and favour you.’

‘I’ll heed that advice, and I hope to learn a lot from ye, Uncle Pat, and in every way, not just about carpentry and building.’

Patrick Kennedy simply nodded, and reached for a satchel on the seat next to him. Opening it, he took out two bottles and handed one to Blackie. ‘Your Aunt Eileen always keeps the medicine bottles from the doctor and, as you see, they come in useful. There’s water in there, clean drinking water.’