* * *
Evelyn looked down the stone steps into the gloom. Warm air rose up and caressed her face, telling her that she had come to the right place. She heard movement and the sound of a shovel scraping out coal from a pail. Suddenly the boiler door opened, exposing red flames and silhouetting Drake’s figure as he threw coal into the furnace. The door closed with a bang, plunging the area at the bottom of the steps into blackness again, yet the flames and his shape still remained in her mind.
She took a step back, as he emerged into the daylight. He appeared startled to see her.
‘Hello,’ she said suppressing a nervous smile.
He looked about warily.
‘It’s all right; Timmins told me you were here.’ Drake followed her gaze and saw Mr Timmins nodding his approval before he left the melon yard. ‘He’s going to see Cook,’ she added needlessly. ‘He wants to discuss the households’ requirements for the coming year.’ She looked back at Drake and found he was staring at her. He looked uncomfortable at being caught and she found his discomfort touching. ‘I want to thank you for fetching Mother and Father.’
He moved past her and plunged his hands in a trough of water. ‘There’s no need. Anyone would have done the same.’
He washed the coal from his hands and dried them roughly on his trouser legs. His movements mesmerised her. When he had finished he glanced up and Evelyn quickly looked away.
‘I’ve brought you a gift,’ she said, feeling flustered and pulling out a flat package from inside her coat. She held it out to him.
‘I want no gift.’
‘I’ve written on it that it is a gift from me for coming to my assistance. No one can accuse you of stealing it.’
‘I didn’t mean that.’
‘Then what did you mean?’
‘I don’t know.’
She jerked it towards him. ‘Take it. If you don’t want it, give it to your parents.’
‘Father’s dead.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Evelyn realised she really meant the platitude. Poor Drake, to suffer such a loss so young. ‘You could give it to your mother.’
He reluctantly reached for it and held it carefully in his hands.
‘Don’t seem right, Miss Evelyn. I’ve not thanked you for the blankets yet.’
‘You have now.’ She tried to smile, but couldn’t quite manage it this time.
He must have noticed for he asked, ‘How is Master Nicholas?’
‘I don’t know. I am not allowed to see him and no one tells me anything.’
‘That must be hard.’
Her bottom lip began to quiver. Someone, other than Miss Brown, finally understood.
‘Don’t cry,’ he said, alarmed.
She tilted her chin, bravely. She didn’t want him to feel embarrassed by her tears. ‘I won’t.’
Drake did not look reassured. She tried another smile, but failed miserably.
Drake’s eyes darted around the yard. ‘Are you sure Mr Timmins has gone to the big house?’ he asked. Evelyn nodded. ‘Then come with me. I know what will cheer you.’ When shedidn’t follow, he looked back at her, surprised, ‘Come on, before we are missed.’
‘Where are you taking me?’
‘To the storehouse. I want to show you something.’
