The boat is anchored close enough that Uma and Harry are able to leap from the plank to the Jolly Roger.
The pirates have already started their daily celebration when Uma and Harry get on board. All around them are giddy men clanking tin mugs and singing old pirates songs. The scent of grog is strong in the air mixing with the saltiness of the sea. The laughter and stumbling is a familiar scene.
Uma is glad she has the day off because she knows they will pack the chip shop later. She's used to their rowdiness and antics when they come to fill up and bilge and chum.
The Neverland pirates may look intimidating upon first glance but they are probably the least feared crew in history. Years of being taunted by Peter Pan and the rest of his child followers would soften even the toughest pirate. The fact that they couldn't beat a mere child has made them a joke. They are all determined to escape back to Neverland one day to seek revenge.
Make no mistake they are by no means good men but they lack fear factor. Still their drunken antics are legendary and they still have women on the isle falling all over them. Especially Hook who many of the older women on the isle describe as the most handsomest man they have ever seen.
"Have a drink, mate!" a rotund pirate with dark tan skin wearing a fez pushes a bottle in Harry's face.
The bottle is clear and filled with dark amber liquid. Skull and crossbones adorn the label to let the drinker know it's nothing to mess with.
Uma and Harry have drunk rum before. Once Harry snuck a bottle off the ship and he and Uma sat on the beach taking swigs back and forth from it. At first they didn't get the big deal. The amber liquid was sweet but with a strange after taste. It was after they had drank nearly half the bottle that it crept up on them. Warmth washed over them giving way to new sensations.
It also resulted in their first kiss which is something the pair has not mentioned since.
"No, I'll pass," Harry pushes the bottle away.
"Play the piano, Harry!" A short pirate with an eye patch calls out and soon a chant starts.
Piano playing is a skill Harry taught himself after watching his father play as a young child. Captain Hook likes to put on airs of being a proper gentleman which includes piano playing and an appreciation for classic literature.
There is a small piano at the chip shop and some nights Harry plays for Uma as she cleans. Sometimes Uma sings along and they create their own little silly songs. Anything that distracts from her miserable tasks is welcome.
But he isn't in the mood for playing right now despite the pirate's chants. He and Uma are on a mission. His father would only be away from the ship for so many hours and Mr. Smee once the loyal first mate who kept everyone in line is now an old frail man who mostly tends to the bait shop.
"Go on, play." Uma gently nudges his shoulder towards the piano.
"But I'm supposed to be helping you," Harry reasons. "And I know his cabin better."
"And you are helping by providing a necessary distraction," she explains leaning closer to his ear. "You keep the crew busy and I'll sneak into the Captain's quarters. I'm smart I'll manage."
"Fine," he backs down reluctantly. "Only one song though!"
Harry walks over to the little piano set up in the corner and pulls off the cloth cover. The wood is weathered and the keys aren't the gleaming white of his father's grand piano which he keeps in his cabin but it's familiar. Harry taught himself to play on this old thing. And he's made sure to keep it in tune.
Meanwhile Uma used to distraction to sneak over to the Captain's Quarters. Removing a pin from her hair she picked at the lock until it opened. Swiftly she slipped inside quietly shutting the door behind her.
The scent of sea water and cigars is strong in the room.
Four long blue stained glass windows allow a little bit of light to shine into the room along with few scattered candles. Gold accentuates some of the fixings around the cabin like Hook's desk and chair. Unlike the Lost Revenge which Uma's crew had to practically rebuild by collecting loose wood, the Jolly Roger was still in mint condition. It was almost like it was frozen in a time capsule.
Grabbing one of the candles Uma looks around for the safe shining the light in a corner. On the wall is a large painting of a beautiful woman. She has pale skin and dark brown hair with sparkling blue eyes. She has soft delicate features and a pretty pink pout. This must be Harry's mum.
She looks nothing like Hook with his piercing sea green eyes and permanent scowl. She has an innocent longing look in her eyes. Not the crazy look Hook and Harry often have in theirs. It's just a painting but it's easy to see this woman has been through a great deal.
"And what do you think you're doing here, little girl?" a cold familiar voice says from the shadows.
Uma drops the candle in shock and Hook stomps the fire out before it spreads across the wooden floor.
"Captain Hook!" she exclaims as she feels the cold metal hook touch her cheek. Out of the corner of her eye she can see it gleaming from a fresh polish.
His usual red coat and hat were gone and instead his long curly hair flowed and he wore a black shirt with ruffles at the sleeves and a gold vest. Somehow he looks even more menacing than in his usual attire.
"Tell me why I shouldn't hurt you for trespassing on my ship," he demands his hand at her throat. "And please don't mention my pitiful son."
