A Mother's Wish Read Free

his face. ‘And who might this fine fellow be?’
    ‘This is my son, Georgie.’
    ‘I heard that you’d married a boatman.’ Toby ruffled Georgie’s curls. ‘Your boy does you credit, Effie, but it’s hard to believe you are a wife and mother. Your presence behind the bar is sorely missed, my dear.’
    ‘You always were a smooth talker, Toby. I’m sure you say that to all the barmaids in every town you visit. Are you still trading horses?’
    Toby took off his cap, brushing back a lock of dark, curly hair that gleamed like coal in the bright light. ‘I’m Romany. No one understands horseflesh better than we do.’
    ‘And do you still travel with the fair?’
    He shook his head. ‘No, we parted company some time ago.’
    She had always had a soft spot for Toby and seeing him again lifted her spirits, reminding her of happier days. Questions bubbled on Effie’s tongue like sweet sherbet, but Tom appeared in the pub doorway. ‘Grub up, Effie. Come and get it while it’s hot.’
    Toby linked her hand through his arm. ‘Allow me, ma’am. I think I might join you at the breakfast table, if that’s all right with you and if your husband won’t object.’
    The years had rolled away and she had been Effie Sadler, but she returned to earth with a bump and her smile faded. ‘I’m a widow, Toby. Owen died of consumption two years ago.’
    ‘I am sorry, truly I am. I had no idea, or I wouldn’t have made light of things.’
    ‘You weren’t to know.’
    ‘Effie Grey, where’s me food?’ Jacob’s voice boomed from within the cabin, reminding herpainfully that life had changed, and not for the better.
    ‘It’s coming, Father-in-law.’ She shot an apologetic glance at Toby. ‘He’s not the easiest person to live with.’
    Toby raised an eyebrow. ‘I can see that, ducks. Best get the old codger fed then.’ He led her into the pub, settling her on a seat by the fire where Tom had already begun shovelling his food down at an alarming rate. ‘Hold fast there, young fellow.’ Toby picked up a rapidly cooling plate of bacon, eggs and buttered toast, thrusting it into Tom’s hands. ‘Take this to the old man.’ He turned to the barman. ‘A pint of porter, if you please, Ben.’
    ‘The old fellah don’t approve of drink,’ Tom said nervously. ‘He says it’s the devil’s brew and he’ll only throw it at me.’
    Toby strode to the bar and came back with a foaming tankard. He took a red-hot poker from the fire and plunged it into the pot. The beer hissed and fizzed, and he thrust the tankard into Tom’s hand. ‘Tell the old devil that this is purely medicinal; doctor’s orders.’
    ‘You shouldn’t have done that,’ Effie said anxiously as Tom left the taproom. ‘Mr Grey has a fierce temper. He might not be able to walk but he has a long reach with his cane and a strong arm.’
    ‘I’ll wager that Tom is quick on his feet, andmaybe the mulled ale will sweeten the old man’s temper.’ Toby held his arms out to Georgie. ‘Come with me, young man. I know the cook here and if we ask her nicely, I’m sure she’ll give you a bowl of porridge with lots of sugar and cream. Shall we go and see?’
    Effie half rose to her feet, but Toby pressed her gently down on the wooden settle. ‘Don’t worry, little mother, your boy is safe with me. I’m used to handling young colts, and, as you see, he is not afraid of his Uncle Toby.’
    As if to confirm this statement, Georgie peered at the gold earring dangling from Toby’s earlobe and he poked at it with a chubby finger, seemingly content to be held in a stranger’s arms and quite happy to leave his mother and be carried off to the unknown. Effie did not know whether to be pleased by her son’s newfound independence or upset by it, and she had to resist the urge to follow them. Even as she ate the tasty food, she found herself straining her ears in case Georgie should suddenly miss her and begin to cry, but it was Tom who returned first, bursting