‘I can explain everything, if only you would let me.’ Mr. Greenwood took a step closer.
‘What is there to explain?’ said Jack. ‘You left me to be raised by servants – to fend for myself at ten years old. How long before you abandon this family too? Does your child know that his father is a deserter?’
‘Jamie knows of you,’ Mr. Greenwood said. ‘He knows he has a brother.’
‘That child of yours is not my brother,’ said Jack, pointing down the hall. ‘I will not have any more to do with you after today.’
‘You don’t understand the whole story,’ Mr. Greenwood said desperately.
‘I understand well enough,’ said Jack through gritted teeth.
Jack turned on his heel and stormed from the room. When he reached the staircase he turned to find that I was not following him.
‘Come on Avalon, this was a mistake.’
I stood my ground between the two men and remained silent.
‘Aren’t you coming?’ said Jack.
‘I think-’ I said in a small voice. ‘I think that you should hear when he has to say, Jack.’
‘You’re joking, right?’ said Jack. ‘This man abandoned me when I was a child, Avalon.’
‘I know, I know,’ I said. ‘But I think … I think-’ I wasn’t sure what I thought.
‘What?’ said Jack impatiently, ‘You think what?’
‘I think family shouldn’t be taken for granted,’ I said. ‘Before you know it … they can be gone.’
This caught Jack off guard.
Finally, after several tense moments, he sat himself upon the sofa, his head in his hands. For a moment I feared that Jack was crying, though I knew he was made of much tougher stuff than me. I wanted to burst into tears.
This moment between Jack and his father was so private that I felt out of place.
‘I’ll … I’ll wait downstairs,’ I told Jack, squeezing his shoulder gently.
Jack looked up and I saw that his eyes were red. ‘Don’t go,’ he said.
I took a deep breath. ‘You need some time alone with your Dad.’
Jack searched my eyes for a moment, before nodding.
‘Thank you,’ Mr. Greenwood said, giving me a small nod.
As I descended the spiral staircase into the apothecary I heard Mr. Greenwood starting to talk, but his voice soon became muffled and indistinguishable as I neared the bottom step.
I had no timepiece, so I was unable to say how long Jack spent upstairs. I could hear pacing on the floorboards above and every so often a raised voice, but nothing too serious. I did not try to make out what was being said, for this was a private matter and I did not wish to eavesdrop on Jack. I knew he would tell me what had transpired in his own time.
In the time I had known Jack he had only ever spoken of his father once. The memory of his abandonment was still painful after so many years, so he did not bring the topic up often.
Whilst I waited, I rubbed the bruises I had recently acquired dolefully. I had never been in a scuffle with Jack before and I did not wish to do it again, I knew he would forgive me for it.
After what seemed like hours, I heard footsteps on the staircase and Mrs Greenwood’s shoes came into view. She descended the stairs and walked up to me, a sad smile upon her face.
‘I don’t think we have been properly introduced,’ she said extending a hand to me. ‘I am Caroline Greenwood.’
‘You’re married to Mr. Greenwood?’ I asked.
She nodded. ‘Yes, Jack and I have been married for seven years. Pardon me, Jack Senior.’ She smiled.
‘I’m Avalon,’ I said, taking her hand and shaking it. Caroline Greenwood jumped a little at the heat that radiated from my hand.
‘My dear, you’re burning up.’
‘It’s all right. I have a naturally high body temperature.’
Caroline paused, ‘Are you sure?’
I nodded and after a small hesitation, I admitted, ‘I am a Fire-Mage.’
‘Oh my, well that does explain it,’ she said with a smile.
I smiled too. ‘Are you a Healer as well?’
Caroline nodded, ‘Yes – though not as good as my husband.’
‘So your son Jamie – is he a healer?’ I asked.
The colour seemed to drain from Caroline’s face. ‘Yes,’ she said with a forced smile. ‘Naturally.’
The sound of my stomach rumbling broke the awkward silence.
‘You’re hungry,’ Caroline said with wide eyes. ‘Where are my manners? You must join us for supper.’
‘Oh, no, it’s okay,’ I said. ‘I don’t want to be any trouble.’
‘No trouble at all,’ she smiled. ‘I expect the boys will be hungry soon, too. We can all have dinner together as a family.’
‘I’m not really family,’ I said. ‘I don’t want to impose.’
‘Don’t be silly. You are with Jack – you are absolutely welcome.’