She pointed to the side, where there were many framed paintings leaning against the wall, and rolled-up canvases beside them. The paintings were of various sizes, with different types of frames, and of different subjects: still-life, landscapes, portraits.
‘How wonderful!’ Sonya exclaimed. She looked quickly before heading to the section of supplies with Dania, where they picked up what they needed and set them into two baskets, both of whichSonya held. They got papers and paints and colors, then paid for it all with the money Azam had given her.
As they left the art store, both baskets were already feeling quite heavy. Sonya shifted her hands, trying to get a better grip, but that didn’t help much. She paused to set them down and flex her hands, giving her arms a break.
The clouds had parted and the sun was out, bringing warmth with its rays. She wiped her brow, then picked up the baskets again. She spotted Enzo across the square, waving.
After handing a wrapped slab of meat to a customer, he jogged over.
‘Hi, Sonya,’ he greeted her. ‘Can I help you with those?’ He gestured to the baskets.
Dania looked offended. ‘I already helping,’ she said.
‘Yes, you are, and I am so grateful,’ Sonya said. Dania was, in fact, holding one single paint tube in her chubby curled fist. Sonya and Enzo exchanged a glance; his lips twitched.
‘Can I perhaps help you further?’ he asked. ‘Even though, of course, I cannot compete with Dania, who is the very best helper.’
Dania looked pleased by that and turned to Sonya with a small nod. Her arms were already aching. Despite the cleaning and the work she had been doing these past few weeks, she wasn’t strong enough yet, and there was no shame in asking for help.
‘That would be very kind, thank you,’ she said, and Enzo took both baskets from her with ease. Grateful, she smiled up at him.
He winked. ‘Don’t let Winnie see you.’
Sonya laughed. ‘Which part would affront her more?’
‘Let’s see…us walking together, me being a gentleman and helping you, me making you laugh…I could go on.’
They began walking back and, once they left the market, it wasfar less busy. Sonya let Dania skip ahead so long as she stayed in sight, and Dania sang to herself, her pigtails swinging.
‘What’s all this for, anyway?’ Enzo asked, gesturing to the baskets full of art supplies.
‘We need to make flyers to spread the word about Azam reopening the shop,’ Sonya said.
‘Yes, Azam told me about that!’ Enzo said. ‘I’m glad he’s doing that. Glad, too, that he’s getting a break from the tailor in Castletown. He’s been so unhappy these past few months.’
Azam didn’t talk about his work much and Sonya was curious.
‘He’s an apprentice, yes?’ she asked, though she knew that already. Enzo nodded as they continued on the path home.
‘Lowest on the food chain, so they work him terribly,’ Enzo said. ‘All the apprentices have to do menial tasks like make tea for the big stitch-witches and run errands like delivery boys.’
Sonya frowned. ‘He must hate that.’
Azam had such wide eyes filled with wonder, she couldn’t imagine him doing mindless errands. She was so used to seeing his quick and clever hands at work, so used to the gears shifting continuously in his mind.
‘He does,’ Enzo said. ‘He’s been there since he was fifteen, so a little over two years, and has been waiting for a promotion. Lord knows he’s earned it.’
They made it home, and Dania pushed the door open, running in. Sonya and Enzo followed behind her. The door to the shop was open but they went ahead into the living room, where Enzo set down her baskets.
‘He doesn’t like it, but it pays well, since the tailor works for the crown,’ Enzo explained. ‘Azam doesn’t do any royal outfits, of course, but it was where his mom used to work.’ He had mentioned his mother used to make castle uniforms for the staff. ‘And Azam—’
‘Azam what?’ Azam asked, entering the room,
‘I was just telling Sonya about your job,’ Enzo said.
Azam gave Enzo an easy smile but she sensed a tightness behind it. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear about that,’ he said. ‘Not when we are preparing for a grand reopening!’
Enzo laughed. ‘Yes, of course. Onwards and upwards! What can I do to help?’
