Rose gave her a knowing smile. “Ah. Changed your mind and thinking of joining us, eh?”
“I wouldn’t be any good at this, Rose.”
“Why not? It ain’t so hard,” Josie said.
“I don’t like a man’s touch.”
Rose and Josie looked at each other, then shrieked with laughter.
Clara wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. “You don’t think we enjoy what we do, do you, Kate?”
“I don’t know. You all seem happy enough with the men.”
“Kate! Don’t be silly! ‘Tis all work, girl,” Rose said with a broad grin. “Just work.”
“But—”
“I know,” Kitty said. “You’ve been listening to us, haven’t you, duckie? Did you like our cries of pleasure, our sweet words of loving?”
The three others snickered. Kate hung her head.
“Kate, Kate!” Kitty said. “‘Tis just a bit of play-acting, you know? The men likes it. Gets their blood running hot and fast, and they gets to finish that much quicker. ‘Tis just work, nothing more.”
Kate heard a soft moaning. It grew louder. Surprised, because all the sailors had left, she looked behind her and stared at Josie. She snapped her mouth close and glanced back at the others. They were doubled over, with their hands over their mouths, but that didn’t smother their giggles.
Josie cried, “Yes, luv. That’s it, luv. Ooh. Ooh.” Cries of her pleasure filled the cabin.
The three other Petals fell on each other, laughing hysterically. Kate buried her burning face in her hands. The laughter around her swelled. In a moment, Kate found herself laughing too. Bloody Josie!
The Petals taught Kate the basics of their trade, revealing the many tricks they practised, and competed with each other to share their experiences.
“No. You’re making that up, Josie,” Clara said.
“No. ‘Tis true. Swear to God.”
“You never did that! Don’t you lie now,” Rose cried.
Josie cleared her throat. “All right, all right. But I heard of it from me friend, Chelsea.”
“She lied!” Kitty said.
“How would you know, pray tell?” Josie said. “No! Never say you’ve tried it too? You didn’t!”
“That’s for you to find out.” Kitty laughed and turned to Kate. “Close your mouth, luv. Now, what else can we learn you?”