Meggy lay on her cot and focused on the bottom of the bunk above her. She struggled to pull off her drawers and skirts, to then replace them with her nightdress. A curtain screened her from prying eyes. Conditions were cramped and the only time a person had any privacy was when they lay in their bunk at night.

She settled herself, pulled the curtain back a fraction and studied the lamp which hung in the corridor. Its flame flickered and died, which meant it was ten o'clock. Meggy let go of the curtain and lay on her back. She listened to the creaking timber, the slapping of ropes and the sea as the ship moved through the water. Meggy liked these sounds. They silenced the snoring and vomiting, the muffled sounds of lovemaking and other noises that weren't pleasant.

Smiling, Meggy thought of the decision she had made to better her future. She had developed numerous friendships, two of which she hoped to keep when they docked in Cairns. She felt a surge of excitement. So much good was happening. Her new life had begun and she had so many plans.

As she laid thinking she frowned at the thought of one of the sailors on board. Meggy didn't sense good things about him. She didn't like the way he watched her when she was on deck. She understood his expressions because she knew them well. Meggy rolled over, rested her head on her arm and tried to brush these thoughts aside. Many men, both married and single, had looked at her in an appreciative way, as they had her new friends, Olivia and Charlotte. All three of them were attractive young women. Meggy consoled herself, nodded at these thoughts and felt convinced this sailor was only admiring her. She tittered and would have to stop thinking every time a man looked at her, he was expecting to have sex with her. This, she thought, was one of the habits of her old life, a habit she must forget. Meggy closed her eyes and prepared for sleep. The captain would do his rounds in the morning to check their cleanliness. She wanted to wake early so she could wash before the others.

*

Having folded her nightdress Meggy tucked it under her bedding. She tied the curtain back, and then scrutinized her work. It was nearly ten o'clock, the doctor and the captain, would be on their way to inspect the quarters. Everyone was mustered and examined at this time every morning. Sometimes it wasn't the captain but another representing him. If you weren't clean enough, or the bedding was untidy you had to remake the bunk and have another wash.

Meggy took great pride in the way she kept herself and her possessions. Not that she had much, but she kept everything as clean and tidy as was possible.

She waited impatiently, brushed her hair one last time, and then heard the captain's voice.

"Good," he said nodding his head to this one or that one.

The sailor, who made Meggy feel uncomfortable, was following him. When they reached her bunk Meggy kept her eyes on the captain, so she didn't have to look at the sailor.

"Very good, miss." The captain smiled and moved on.

"Thank you, captain." Meggy turned to place her hairbrush with the rest of her belongings. She felt the heat of the sailor's breath before she heard his words.

"Tidy little whore... isn't we, Meggy?"

Meggy gasped, she spun around to face him. "I beg yer pardon."

He chortled and moved on, following the captain from one bunk to the next.

Feeling sickened by his words, Meggy rushed up the steep steps and out onto the deck. She stood where the wind blew on her face. He knew who she was. What she was. Meggy paced backwards and forwards. She wanted to cry. She would deny it. Report him to the captain if he said anymore. She searched her memory but couldn't remember his face. There had been many sailors in her past, countless men, all looking much like each other in the end.

"Hello there, Meggy!"

She turned to see Charlotte and Olivia coming toward her. Meggy smiled, as best she could, in greeting.

"You look terrible. Are you not feeling well?" Olivia touched her gently on the arm.

"Nae... um yes... a bit sea sick, I think."

"Perhaps you should go and lay down for a while." They cooed.

Meggy shook her head. "No. I like the wind on my face. I'm starting ta feel a little better because of it."

Both Charlotte and Olivia nodded their heads in unison. Meggy realised how often they did this. She knew they were cousins and that they had lived next door to each other. Meggy could see how alike they were. Both were engaged to gentlemen who had immigrated to Australia. These men had also dwelled in the same street and all four had grown up together.

Meggy had always yearned for the secure life these women had. She felt envious of them and wanted desperately to remain their friend. Through them, she might meet a nice man herself, marry and settle down.

The hushed words and laughing face of the sailor flashed in her mind. Meggy felt a sudden surge of nausea overwhelm her. She turned, leaned over the rail and vomited.

Gentle hands rubbed her back and pull her hair away from her face. "Poor Meggy, let's not get vomit in your beautiful hair," Olivia clucked.

"I shall go and find you some water," Charlotte said and dashed off as Meggy vomited again.

"Oh Meggy, I do hope you feel well this evening. It's Friday, concert night. There is a contest for the best male and female singer tonight." She paused and pulled Meggy's hair away from her face once more. "Charlotte and I are going to enter. Can you sing, Meggy?"

Shaking her head, Meggy stood up straight. She dabbed her mouth with her handkerchief and waited for Charlotte to bring the water.

"I've just been telling Meg how we're going to sing tonight, Charlotte."

Charlotte giggled. "I'm not sure if we'll do any good, but first prize is a writing set."

Oh no, it appears that Meggy's past is following her :(

Photo - immigration-steerage-act-gettyimages