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

“Oh damnation! Close those curtains,” Jasper moaned. “Give a man some peace.”


“I feel quite ill,” Jasper replied. “Go and fetch me some water and a bucket. An empty bucket. I feel I may need it at any moment.”


Jacob pulled on his clothes and in bare feet hurried to the water barrel in the kitchen to fill a mug with water. Collecting a bucket and his way back, he returned to Jasper’s bedroom. He put the bucket by the side of the bed and placed the mug of water on the bedside table.


“Will there be anything else?” he asked.


“Yes,” mumbled Jasper. “Leave me alone.”


“One more thing,” said Jacob. “I want to write a letter. Could I possibly have some paper and a pen?”


“Yes. Yes,” said Jasper, fast losing patience. “Get them from my study and leave me alone. Go. Go!”


Jacob chuckled to himself but left Jasper to suffer in silence.


Chapter 42