Chapter 50: Back in Portugal.
After four months of rolling seas, steady winds in the sails and beautiful weather they saw land beautifully edged on the horizon. They hugged each other in relief and the men joked with them, seeming unmoved. They watched the land coming closer with every passing hour.
Again, dread filled Roberto’s mind, wondering for the umpteenth time how he would be received. After that one time, he never spoke to Rosa-Lee about it again, but the nagging question remained in his head and he clenched his teeth as he looked at the unfolding land mass before him.
As the busy harbour came into view, he felt his shoulders tense and his rigid posture as stiff as a plank.
Pierre noticed his friend and former captain’s tense posture and touched him on the shoulder.
“You will be fine Roberto. You are making it too much of an issue. If what Rosa-Lee is telling us is any indication of who this man is, he will accept you.”