Pirates! (28 page)
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Afterword
I left Madagascar on the next tide. When the ship reached Cape Town, Broom collected a parcel of mail. In it he found a letter from Graham. The doctor has been busy on my behalf, it seems, and has made good his promise of finding William and speaking to him, which has given me new hope. He has also made the acquaintance of Mr Defoe, who he found to be a man full of curiosity, with a great knowledge of the sea, in deep sympathy for those who make their living there, whoever they might be. A man of discretion, so Graham says, very interested in those who have gone on the account. Mr Defoe plans a further edition of his book
, A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates
. The reading public being, so it seems, highly diverted by stories of rogues and reprobates, whether on land or sea. To this end, he has been busy collecting stories from the pirates themselves, both captured and free, and from those involved in hunting them. Graham has started to confide his own history to him. That is what prompted me to begin this writing.
We are nearing the Western Approaches now, and it will not be long before we sight England. I own to feelings of great excitement and anticipation, and even greater nervousness. But I am resolved. When we dock in London, I will deliver these papers to Mr Defoe. Then I intend to find William, and to marry him, if he will still have me. And after that? You may wish me luck, or curse me for a damnable pirate, but do not look for me. I will be gone to parts beyond the sea.
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Celia Rees
Celia Rees is one of Britain’s foremost writers for teenagers and her titles for Bloomsbury have enjoyed huge success.
Witch Child
is required reading in secondary schools up and down the country, and has been translated into over 25 languages. A former English teacher, Celia also has a degree in history, a strong interest in which is evident in her brilliantly researched books.
Sorceress
,
Pirates!
and
Sovay
have all met similar critical acclaim and are loved for their strong characters and skilfully plotted adventures. Her most recent book for Bloomsbury is
Sovay
, which was longlisted for the Carnegie Prize 2009. Celia Rees lives in Leamington Spa, with her husband and has a grown daughter.
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