How to Catch Crabs: Siren of War, #6

By Demelza Carlton

Love and babies: two things Lucy doesn't have time for in her life. It's 1926 and this young West Australian woman is happy as an accountant. And she intends to stay that way.
Along comes Giorgio, an Italian migrant fisherman sent to Australia in disgrace. The moment their eyes meet across the fish market, he knows Lucy's the girl for him. If it weren't for his reputation as a rake, he's certain he could catch more than just her eye – perhaps even her heart, too.
A tale of crabs, cricket bats and catching your heart's desire in Jazz Age Western Australia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lost Plot Press
• Release date: Feb 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393792574

Book preview

How to Catch Crabs

Demelza Carlton

A tale in the Siren of War series

Click here to get started – www.demelzacarlton.com

In memory of Red and Onyx.

Though I doubt Onyx ever broke into a trot.

Copyright © 2015 Demelza Carlton

Lost Plot Press

All rights reserved.

One

I must have crabs. Lucy, can you help me?

I gritted my teeth and forced out a smile. Sure, Mum, but I thought it was strawberries you had a craving for.

Strawberries? In the middle of winter? Of course not! Mum waved away the absurdity as she settled in a dining chair that protested loudly. Go get the money out of the strongbox. You can go with Dominic into Fremantle and bring me back fresh crabs from the fish market. She leaned heavily against the back of the chair, which creaked again. I'm too old to be giving you a new little sister, but babies come when they're ready. The next baby in this family will be yours, I'm sure of it. Just seeing that look on young William's face when he looks at you... Mum swept a tear from her cheek.

William's sweet on Natalie, not me, Mum, I told her.

Mum's smile turned all daydreamy. Well, if Nat's going to steal your William, then maybe you'll meet some nice young man on the train today, or in town, and fall in love. Make sure you wear your best dress and don't forget your gloves!

Love and babies. Two things I didn't have time for in my life. As if six younger brothers and sisters wasn't enough, with a seventh on the way. I liked my bookkeeping job much better. It was 1926, for heaven's sake. Women were no longer confined by corsets and their inability to vote. We had voices, held jobs and could make our own choices in this modern world. I shoved the money in my pocket and noted the amount on the ledger before I closed the strongbox.

While the thought of marriage made Mum all misty-eyed, I slipped out to the stables. Not a moment too soon, either – Dominic was already mounted and ready to go.

Dom, Mum wants me to go with you to Freo today, so don't leave without me, I warned him.

I grabbed my saddle blanket and headed past the empty stalls to the paddock. Of course, Red and the other farm horses were on the far side, ignoring us completely as they munched on fresh winter grass.

You gonna whistle, sis? he asked.

I shook my head and glared. It was a standing joke between us that it wasn't ladylike to whistle, and I'd never learned. Dominic wouldn't get a peep out of me.

He grinned and let out a piercing whistle. Across the paddock, Red's ears pricked up. Another whistle from Dominic brought the blood bay gelding trotting over to investigate. Saddle up, sis, or I leave without you.

Several minutes later, I mounted Red and we set off down the road. Dominic had to give Onyx a kick to catch up.

You better not let Mum hear you say that, I remarked, knowing full well Dominic's colourful swearing was no match for Dad's. At least Dominic only swore in English – Dad had a whole host of Croatian swear-words that only came out when something particularly bad happened. Like when the twins were playing with Dad's gun and Vicky shot Tom. Or when Tom let the pony cart get hit by a train – killing the pony, while Tom, Vicky and the three youngest only got bumps and bruises. Why are you going to Freo, anyway?

Naturalists' Club meeting, he said, flicking away a fly. You should join. Whittell says there's some unusual birds around with the storms and all.

I urged Red to a trot, wishing I could be the one running off my frustration. Not until Dad lets me go on the field trips. I'm not taking your meeting minutes or doing your bookkeeping unless I get to do the interesting things, too.

You should just tell Dad it's what you want, Dominic replied. I mean, what if you get married and you're too busy with your husband to do all the things you want to do? Look at Mum.

I managed a smile. I think I'd castrate my husband before he managed to get me pregnant with eight children. I can't believe she's carrying a ninth. I mean, does Dad still...

You wait until you have a husband, Dominic said. Then you'll know.

I shrugged. If I have my way, I'll never have a husband, and all my decisions will be my own. I've grown up with you, remember – why would I want to spend my days picking up after another man?

Never say never, Lucy. Look at Nat and William. She's the biggest tomboy ever, but it's only a matter of time before those two get married. Even I will someday.

I laughed. Who'd have you, Dominic? I can't think of a single girl crazy enough to take you on, what with you haring all over the coast after birds and fish and all manner of creatures. God only knows what you'll come home with next.

Two

Dominic sat beside me on the train, watching the horses through the window as they cropped clover in the station paddock. The train had arrived just in time, too – the rain started sheeting down as we set off, turning the horses into ghostly shadows.

Better hope it stops raining soon, an elderly man across from us said.

Not me, Dominic replied cheerfully. Our orchards need the rain, especially after a long, hot summer like the last one.

The river's running so high it's flooded Northam upriver and they say it's taken out the bridge at Kelmscott and Canning, too, the oldtimer said. Much more and they might have to close down the railways. Getting home will be fun then.

As if on command, the clouds let up enough for us to see the swollen Canning River. I'd never seen the water running so high – the banks had vanished beneath the muddy flow, with massive paperbark trees sticking out of the river like they were wading. My stomach tightened in dread. I'd heard stories of floods, but never seen one for myself. Droughts were far more common.

We'll see, Dominic said. Mum sent Lucy here to get fresh crabs and there'll be hell to pay if we don't make it home this evening. I don't think any storm would be willing to thwart our mum.

Annie's a tough lady, that she is, keeping lads like you in order. You mind your mum, boy. The man tipped his hat down over his eyes and said no more until he started snoring.

I suppressed a giggle. I couldn't imagine sleeping on a chugging steam train, but this doomsdayer didn't seem to have any problem with it.

So what are you really going to Fremantle for, Lucy? Dominic asked, stretching his arms above his head. Meeting a secret lover, or running off to sea, disguised as a cabin boy?

I lost my battle with laughter, so it took me a while before I could reply, My goodness, no. I'm just going up the fish market for Mum's crabs. I only hope they have some. With the river flooded, I imagine they'd be much harder to catch. I didn't fancy explaining to Mum that the weather had denied her the food she craved.

Oh, while you're at the fish markets, can you pick me up some sardines? Just a pound or two.

I stared at Dominic. You don't like sardines.

He smiled. Ah, but I'm hoping to meet up with a friend who does at the meeting today, and if I do, I intend to bring him home to dinner. He dug through his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. Here. That should pay for his supper.

I shrugged and took the money. As long as you don't expect me to cook them.

Of course not, sis. He laughed softly, as if at a private joke.

Three

See you back here in a few hours. Whistling, Dominic unfolded his umbrella and set off through the rain, the shrill sound echoing eerily through the station.

I took shelter under the station roof for a while, hoping the rain would let up a little more before I splashed my way up to the fish markets. With the swell I could see in the