Acrobatics may be physically challenging, but at least you have something at the end of the day—a new routine, a new feat, some way to leave your mark. And Jamie is so naturally gifted, he nearly somersaulted out of Mum’s womb, with me grabbing his ankle for a lift. In America, the opportunities will be endless. We aren’t traditionally educated, but Jamie is smart enough to be a clerk. Maybe even a scholar.

Well, he can throw his life down the can, but he won’t throw mine. I have five days to find and impress Mr. Stewart. Maybe fewer, if they’re trying to break records for this “Blue Riband.” My stomach contracts, feeling like an unripe lemon.

If Mr. Stewart is a dead end, perhaps I can bribe an official to let me into America. I’ll need more pineapples to juggle. Plans always half-baked.

Passing one of the companionways off Scotland Road, I’m surprised to see the seaman with the shaved head, Ming Lai, and the Russian girl half talking, half gesturing at each other, too immersed in their conversation to notice me.

The closest cabin door opens, and the girl’s parents emerge. The mother is a slighter version of her broad-faced daughter, who inherited her father’s sturdier build. Now, that is one father I would not want to offend, with his bulging muscles and thick neck roped with veins. All four head away from me, back toward the Dining Saloon.

It seems as if the threads of their friendship are continuing to weave together more tightly, despite the unlikely pairing. How nice it must be to have her parents’ approval. Or perhaps knowing the acquaintance is only temporary relaxes the rules. Might as well make merry.

The brisk air slaps sense into me when I finally reach the poop deck. Few people are out this early. A different crewman—but just as puffish as yesterday’s QM—paces the docking bridge, his gaze darting around as sharp as a Doberman pinscher’s.

If Jamie had won the bet outright, would he have forced me back to London? Chinese tradition expects the oldest boy to take over the patriarchy, with duties like arranging his sister’s future. But when have I ever taken orders from him? According to Bo, it’s the other way around. Anyway, the Jamie I knew always valued my opinion. Like the time I suggested we pay a kid to bark up business for our show, which more than paid for itself. Or when I told him to stop wearing his pants so short because it made him look like a jack-a-dandy.