~1Molly was busy brushing her hair in front of her dressing table when she heard the door open and then close. She turned. Mark, of all people, had just come into her room, carrying a plate of food for her, dressed in a servant’s uniform. She blinked at him. He set the tray on the side and turned to her. “I’m your new cabin boy.” he muttered. Molly had a feeling he might not be overjoyed with the arrangement, but then, she wasn’t particularly pleased herself. “Why? I don’t want you. The Captain said I could choose my own servants.”2
“Yeah, you can, except you gotta have me… I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.” he muttered, looking a the floor. Molly scowled at him. “I don’t want you.”3
He shrugged. “Captain’s orders. And if you refuse… you know what will happen to your precious little Jimmy.”4
Molly felt a sudden hot rush of anger, and, before she could stop herself, brought her hand through the air, catching Mark sharply on the side of his face. He didn’t move quite quickly enough, though he tried, and it was a fair blow. “Oww!” he snarled, putting a hand to his reddening cheek. “What the hell!?”5
“Mark! Less of the language!” shouted the Captain, coming in.6
“She just bloody hit me!”7
“What did I just say about language?! Not in front of our guest if you please. Now, say that again without the swearing.”8
“She hit me.” muttered Mark, glaring at the floor. The Captain smirked. “And what did you do to insight the young lady’s rage?” he asked smoothly.9
“I didn’t do nothing!”10
“Grammar, Mark, grammar. Do you want the young lady to think you have had no education at all?”11
“I don’t care what she thinks.”12
“Mark, be polite, or else.”13
“But -”14
“I suggest you learn to keep your mouth shut, Mark.” said the Captain, his eyes boring into the boy. Mark closer his mouth sharply and went back to glaring at the floor.15
“Now,” the Captain turned to Molly. “What’s the problem?”16
“I don’t want him for my cabin boy!”17
“I apologise my dear, but I need someone to keep an eye on you and Mark, while incompetent and barely worthy to stand within your cabin, has acceptable manners at times, and will keep a close enough eye on you to satisfy me. Won’t you, Mark?”18
“Yeah, whatever.” muttered Mark, still glaring at his boots. The Captain cleared his throat. “I believe I misheard you, Mark. What did you say?” He stepped nearer to Mark.19
“I said ‘Yes sir’.” Mark said hastily, looking up at him. The Captain continued to glare. “Good boy.” he said coldly, cuffing his cheek just slightly harder than was necessary for an affectionate pat. Then he turned and walked out, calling Mark to follow him. Mark scowled at Molly and then walked after the Captain.20
Over the next few days, Molly was waited on by various servants, but Mark was almost always around. Most of the time he spent just hovering, sometimes watching her, more often glaring at the floor. His grammar and mood were appalling, and he was often as impolite to her as he could be. The Captain came in on one such occasion, when Mark was being particularly unpleasant. Unluckily for Mark, he had been standing with his back to the door, facing Molly, which meant he hadn’t even seen the Captain. He was busy making some comment about Molly’s new dress, which she wasn’t paying much attention to since she wasn’t fond of it either, but she had heard the Captain come in and looked up. He had moved to stand behind Mark, and listened to every word he was saying, his face growing increasingly dark. When Mark paused for a moment, he bent down so their heads were level and whispered “You were saying?”21
Mark had almost jumped out of his skin, and looked so shocked Molly felt almost sorry for him.22
“N-nothing sir.” he had stammered.23
“It didn’t sound like nothing to me, Mark. And it’s not the first such time I’ve heard you making such comments. I think you need reminding of your manners.”24
“No, sir.”25
“And now you’re arguing.” The Captain’s voice had deepened with anger, making Molly shiver very slightly. The Captain took Mark’s arm. “So,” he began, twisting it a little. “what are the rules, Mark?” he asked. Mark bit down on his lip, turned his eyes to the ceiling and said “To honour and obey the captain of the ship, whatever his commands, with -” He winced as the Captain twisted further, and his voice faltered slightly.26
“WITH?” prompted the Captain coldly. Mark took a deep breath and continued. “With no complaint or disobedience and - ow!”27
The Captain’s nails were digging into Mark’s wrist as he jerked it further round behind his back. Mark let out a faint whimper of pain and licked his dry lips before continuing. “And with utter respect for my lord and captain.”28
“Good boy.” said the Captain, continuing to twist. Mark took a deep breath as the Captain pulled his arm up between his shoulder blades and yanked it hard. Molly could see Mark’s face tensing as he fought not to make a sound. Then the Captain let go, and pulled Mark to look at him. “So, have you learnt your lesson?”29
“Yes, sir.” Mark kept his voice as calm as he could, but Molly could see him rubbing his wrist behind his back. The Captain continued to glare. Then he slapped Mark across the face hard and turned and strode out the door. Molly looked at Mark. He bit down on his lip, then took another deep breath and went back to leaning cooly on the wall, looking bored, though he kept his eyes on the door. His cheek was very red and there were finger-shaped marks on it.30
Molly hesitated. “Are you alright?” she asked finally. He shrugged and hesitated for a moment. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” he mumbled. Molly raised an eyebrow at him. He shrugged. “That wasn’t so bad. I’ve lived through worse.”31
“Looked pretty bad to me.”32
“You ain’t ever seen him angry.”33
Molly frowned. “Why don’t you run away?”34
He shrugged again. “Why should I? I got a decent enough life. Just drop it, please.”35
Molly frowned but did as he asked, especially since he’d spoken civilly for a change.36
. Please point out ways you feel I could improve 
Adding your comment:
wow I feel dumb.
it seems like such a long time.
