Thames Watermen are ten a penny, but one what don’t gossip about particular passengers is not so easy to find. That’s where I come in. Special service, discreet and reliable. Local knowledge. I know where the current’s swift, where it eddies, the best way to keep from being observed by those in high windows. I keep a spare black cloak handy, since a man in a hurry might forget such things. This service comes at a cost, mind you. Not your twopence fare at all––sixpence usually, and if you want speed it will cost you a shilling. Mum’s the word.
I like the sense of place and the distinctive voice in this. A couple of suggestions: “one what keeps his mouth shut about a particular passenger might be is to come by” – should there be a “hard” in there? Also the jump between sixpence and a guinea is huge.A shilling would be more likely
Love the tone of this.
Excellent piece. Real sense of character and place.
Whatever, I like it.
I really like this story. very dark, and you can see the atmosphere in it. Also like the “Whatever” 🙂
“…the best way to keep from being observed by those in high windows.” excellent line.
There was always a need for those kind of people…nicely crafted story.
I felt that I was reading from Charles Dickens, great read.
Very mysterious and has a timeless quality of a time gone by!
Captures the seedy atmosphere of Samuel Pepys’s London, but careful with the pounds shillings and pence. Some of us are old enough to remember when you could go out for the night with tuppence ha’penny in your pocket and still have change for the tram home.