‘A well-mannered little girl does not do that!’ And she slap the child again. The poor child start to bawl. She throw the coconut piece on the floor then run out. Winnie make a move to go after her, but Mistress Josephine stop her. ‘You spoil that child too much. It’s the only way children learn.’

When everything get cleaned up, Mistress Josephine still standing there. Finally look at me.

‘Can you fix things, little Will?’

‘Yes, Mistress,’ nodding me head up and down, grinning like a fool. ‘I can fix things. Fix dem good.’

‘Well thank the Lord,’ she say, flicking open a little fan she have hanging off her wrist, start fanning herself. ‘That jackal Louis promised he’d be back today and still no sign of him. Tomorrow morning, be here early. Winnie will give you breakfast. Then before we start, I’ll give you a list of items I need picking up at the store. The balcony railing is most unstable. One of the floorboards is coming up in the parlour and …’

‘Excuse me, Mistress Josephine.’ She look at me hard for interrupting. ‘Massa expect me to come right back.’

‘Your massa, Cargill Mowatt, yes? That old scoundrel!’ and she sigh. ‘He still owes me money from his last visit. I’ll send word that in lieu of payment, I’ll make full use of your services for the next few days.’ And with that, Mistress Josephine lift up her nose along with her skirt them and stride back out the kitchen.

Winnie look at me and can see me finding things moving a little too quick. She burst out laughing. ‘Welcome to the bay,’ she say. ‘Guess me have to find you a place to stay.’

‘What bout Massa?’ not believing everything going be all right.

‘Don’t you worry, little Will. Whatever Mistress Josephine want, Mistress Josephine always get.’

After we eat a piece of Melon fortified cake, Winnie take me to the shed at the back. It belong to Louis, another of Mistress Josephine slave, but since him not back from visiting a sick relative, she tell me I might as well make use of it. Inside is scrubbed clean with a little cot for a bed. A table and stool pushed up against the wall. Remind me of old cripple Jonnie hut. Been a long time since I think bout him. Also been a long time since I sleep pon a bed. As soon as I lay down, me eyes get heavy and I fall into a dead sleep.

The next thing I know, there is banging on the door. Winnie calling out to make haste to come eat. Mistress Josephine already up and asking for me. I quickly get dressed. Wash meself with a bowl of water Winnie kindly leave outside. I still afraid of Floppy, but him seem to accept me as one of the family now.