‘Captain Hebi, you’ll have more than enough time to question Jack later,’ interrupted Tatsumaki. ‘Let’s attend to more civilized matters first.’

The Pirate Queen clapped her hands and two servants parted curtains to reveal a long, low table set for dinner. Lanterns lit the open-air room and incense burned to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Bowls of steaming white rice were interspersed with plates of exotic fish, their flesh forming a rainbow of colours – white, yellow, pink, red and black.

Tatsumaki invited them all to sit. Jack took his place between the hefty Captain Kujira and his captor Captain Kurogumo. As they settled down on their cushions, the servants poured out fresh water and cups of hot saké.

‘Itadakimasu,’ proclaimed the Pirate Queen, raising her cup. ‘We thank the Seto Sea for all she provides … and the trading ships for all she doesn’t!’

‘Itadakimasu!’ the captains responded heartily, lifting their cups too.

Picking up their hashi, they began to feast upon the banquet before them. They were not long into the meal when there came a screeching from behind. Saru’s red face bobbed out from a window and she scampered over to leap on to Jack’s shoulder. The monkey started cooing gently in his ear and grooming his hair again. The pirate captains laughed at the touching display of affection.

‘I’ve never seen Saru so fond of a stranger,’ said Captain Kujira, popping a red slice of tuna in his mouth.

‘Ow!’ cried Jack as Saru tugged at a lock of his hair. He tried to push the troublesome creature away. ‘Will you leave me alone?’

‘Think yourself lucky,’ remarked Captain Wanizame. ‘She usually claws prisoners’ eyes out.’

Jack immediately stopped grappling with the monkey, fearful of such a vicious reprisal, and surrendered to her hair pulling. But every time he brought a lump of fish or rice to his mouth Saru went wild and flailed her skinny arms.

‘She’s hungry. Give her this,’ said Tatsumaki, passing Jack a small plum.

Saru took the fruit from Jack and examined it carefully. She then dunked it in Jack’s cup before popping it in her mouth. Jack was astonished.

‘Snow monkeys are highly intelligent,’ Tatsumaki informed him. ‘Not only does Saru clean her food before eating but she loves to bathe in hot springs, just like us.’

‘I didn’t know there were springs on this island,’ remarked Captain Kujira.

‘No, there aren’t. That’s why Saru uses the ofuro next to Jack’s room.’

Jack almost choked on his rice at the thought of having shared a bathtub with the monkey. He caught the sly grin on Tatsumaki’s face and wondered if it was her idea of a joke. But somehow he didn’t think so.

‘Captain Kurogumo, I was worried for you yesterday,’ expressed Captain Wanizame. ‘That storm was a hull-breaker.’

‘The Black Spider’s a tough ship,’ replied Captain Kurogumo.