Twenty-two-year-old Jacob Tomkins is sentenced to seven years’ labour in the fledgling colony of Sydney Town, Australia. The voyage across the sea is arduous. He is travelling with mean, street-hardened criminals, some of whom would like to use him for their pleasure. Fortunately he meets Peter, who takes Jacob under his wing. Together they find moments of pleasure amid the drudgery of the voyage. They share their hopes and dreams, and finally declare their love for each other upon the eve of their arrival in Sydney Town -- a place where the currency is rum, distilled and controlled by the powerful military. But what will happen once they disembark? The chances of remaining together are slim. A lot can happen in seven years, especially when Jacob’s new master takes a liking to him. Is their love strong enough to survive the ravages of time? Can they survive the rigors of their sentences?

Across the Sea

Exhausted and reeking of smoke, they collapsed onto the floor; panting and wiping the sweat from their brows, and in the process smearing soot across their faces.


“How on earth did it start?” asked Jasper.


“I must have dropped some hot coals while I was clearing out my fireplace, sir,” Thomas explained. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir. It must have happened on my last trip to the charcoal pit. I didn’t notice anything until I came back out a few minutes later. Once it had taken hold of the back wall, I knew I couldn’t handle it on my own.”


Later, as he was serving Jasper his breakfast in the dining room, Jacob asked him why he’d been frowning.


“I don’t believe him. The fire was further inside the stable than it would have been if he’d merely dropped some hot coals. I also wonder how he didn’t notice the flames sooner, or at least smell the smoke.”


Chapter 37