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

Jacob looked at him, his gaze steely cold. “I’m not feeling well, sir.”


Jasper walked towards him, an arm extended in readiness to embrace him.


Jacob knocked it out of the way and brushed by Jasper to attend to the bedroom. In silence he made the bed; the bed he’d never again share with Jasper. He picked up the master’s dirty clothes and bundled them up. He’d take them to the laundry when he’d finished straightening up the room. The bucket beside the bed had fortunately not been used.


He went about his business not talking to either Polly or Jasper, and that evening he served dinner in silence, refusing to eat his own meal at the same table as Jasper.


“Are you really not hungry?” asked Jasper. “Come on, sit down, and tell me about your day.”


“I told you I’m not feeling well, sir. But all you care about is yourself.”


Jasper sat back in his chair, eyes wide.


Chapter 43