Saltsong

At dawn, the falling sea exposes the mudflats and leaves the harbour shallow, with boats resting unevenly on their keels in wet, gleaming mud. Around midday, water ascends the green quay steps and raises the boats until they float at their ropes, while people unload and bargain beneath the gulls. The evening water becomes still at its highest level beside the wall, close enough for someone leaning over to reach almost down to it.

Lanterns light up around the harbour while families sing, and their reflections stretch and shake across the surface as cool, salty air rises from below. The long quay projects from the town into the evening water, ending where the lamps grow dim and the harbour widens toward the open sea. Below the lit quay, the landing is wet and softened by weed, and small boats move at their ropes beneath the first stars.

The Coorls are known around the harbour for how well they sing together, and Caleb contributes accurately without usually leading the family singing. Families sing from their own steps during the evening gathering, using a shared song whose sound travels around the curved wall and returns across the harbour. The Coorls continue singing after the death of Caleb's mother but leave her songs and certain parts unsung, following the town's practice of carrying grief in song.

On fine evenings, later gatherings include sailors away from duty, sleepless older men, courting young people, and travellers who come down from the inns. Someone begins a tune, listeners who recognise it add their voices, and those who do not know it listen while the informal exchange continues. Sailors bring coastal songs and receive others in return, allowing melodies to spread slowly between harbours through people who travel across the sea.