“Are we really going to stay, Miss Thea?”
“Yes, we are, Gen.” She glanced at the little face staring up at her. “I think it’s the best idea for now, don’t you?”
“I suppose so. But I do wish Mama were here now.”
“I can understand that, little one. I really can.” She sat on the side of the bed and patted it. “Come and sit here, next to me for a minute or two. We need to catch our breath, don’t we?”
Gen nodded and clambered up. “Is this the adventure you said you were going to have?”
“Well, not exactly,” laughed Dorothea. “Although it is indeed something very close to one. I never imagined seeing inside such a lovely house, especially down here.” She leaned in and touched Gen’s shoulder with her own. “And I never expected to find such a sweet travelling companion, either.”
Gen giggled. “Me neither, Miss Thea.”
Dorothea laughed back. “Let me unpack a couple of my things, and then we’ll go and see what Mr Gray has lined up for our meal, shall we?”
“Yes, please.” Gen put her hand on her stomach. “My tummy’s rumbling.”
“So’s mine, but don’t tell anyone.”
So after a little organising, more than a little hair brushing and tidying on the part of both Dorothea and her charge, they declared themselves presentable and left the room. Thim, who didn’t have any hair to brush or hands to wash, just followed along, its comforting little tick-tock sounding behind its new family.
The scent of food made Dorothea’s stomach rumble as well, but fortunately before they were confronted by Nelson, who bid them follow him.
“This is quite a large house, Nelson,” she observed. “How many rooms are there?”
“Enough for our needs, Ma’am.”
“Ah. Well, that’s a good thing, then, isn’t it?” Dorothea sighed. Sometimes a tickerkin needed a good boot up its...
“Here you are.”
Silas stood in the doorway and beckoned them inside. “I hope you have room for a few little delicacies. Biscuits are wonderful, but they’re not really sustaining.”
“Oh, well, I...” She blinked at the table and the delicious selection of nibbles on the Tinker’s Tray. “Goodness, you have gone to so much trouble for us. ‘Thank you’ seems inadequate.”
“Sit. Eat. Thank me later.” He smiled and seated her as Gen climbed onto the next chair.
“This looks very good,” she whispered.
“It is,” Silas whispered back. “But you’d better pick your favourites quickly, because I think Miss Thea may be hungry too, and you don’t want her eating all the good stuff before you...”
Dorothea couldn’t help but chuckle. “It sounds as if you have brothers and sisters, Mr Gray.” She helped herself to an assortment of cheeses and a couple of crusty bread slices, which she buttered lavishly.
“Just one brother,” smiled Silas. “But he is a handful, even now.”
“Is here in the Undercroft as well?”
“No. His choices took him down a different path.”
There was something in his words that told her this was a subject he’d prefer left alone. Understanding, she nodded and chewed thoughtfully.
“Do you have brothers or sisters?” Silas filled his plate.
“One brother,” she replied between mouthfuls. “Older brother.”
“I see. Is he here in the Undercroft, or joining you here, perhaps?”
She looked at him thoughtfully, wondering if he was being polite or doing a little subtle digging. “He is quite busy these days, so I doubt he will follow me. He has enough work to keep him occupied elsewhere in Arcvale.” She smiled a little. “Also, he’s not one for spontaneous adventures. Which this has certainly turned out to be.”
