Betsy had never been comfortable with the way Billy copied Sibbie and used the term ‘Mama’. She was his ma; ‘Mama’ was not for the likes of them. But correcting him only brought on the sulks. Every trait he had showed how he liked to have his own way, and in this she feared many a time that history might repeat itself.

The children were full of joy once they were let out of the confines of the school gates, as they had six whole weeks in front of them before returning. Their antics got Betsy laughing, as they chased one another down to the quayside. Then the younger ones engaged in play-fighting with the cloth bags they all took their books in. Daisy had let Billy have hers, as she and Florrie felt themselves far too grown-up, for Daisy was now ten and Florrie was nine.

‘Eeh, stop that, you young ’uns, or you’ll end up hurting each other and then falling out.’ All of them stopped except Billy. He landed Sibbie a real whack across her legs. She went down.

‘Eeh, Billy lad, now you apologize.’

‘No. I was only playing.’

‘But, lad, I told you all to stop. Rosie and Sibbie did, and so Sibbie wasn’t ready – you caught her a blow she couldn’t get away from.’

‘Sibbie’s too slow. And she’s always getting me into trouble.’

‘Naw, lad, you must take the responsibility. You should have stopped when I told Sibbie.’

Billy stamped his feet. ‘I didn’t want to stop!’

‘Now then, what’s all this, eh? Are ye having trouble with your brood, hen?’

Billy immediately cowered into Betsy’s flowing skirt.

‘I ken there’s a mutiny. Now we can’t be having that in Portpatrick. We’re all seafaring and fair seamen. What is it that ails ye, lad?’

To Betsy’s surprise, Billy stepped forward. ‘I didn’t want to stop play-fighting, and I hit Sibbie when she wasn’t ready.’

‘Well, thee’s an honest lad, and that makes for a good seafaring lad. Now, help Sibbie up and shake her by the hand. Och, it’s a wee gesture, but it shows the man you are.’

Betsy couldn’t believe how Billy did Angus’s bidding, but the reason for it soon became apparent. Billy wanted what Angus could give him.

‘Please can we go on your boat one day, Angus?’

Aw, why does I think like this – Billy’s just a little child. It’s natural he’d want to do sommat as lads enjoy, like going for a ride in a fishing boat.

‘Aye, ye can. But I need to know as ye’ve behaved yourselves for at least a week. When your ma reports that to me, then I’ll tek ye out to sea.’

Billy jumped for joy.

‘By, you have a way with children, Angus.’

‘Aye, ken as I do. But I have the practice of me sister’s wee brood – she’s nine of them.’

‘Eeh, and I thought I had me hands full with four.’

‘Och, them’s fine wee bairns; you’ve done a good job, Betsy. D’yer get to go out in the evenings any time, hen? I was thinking of asking you to walk with me.’