[Roger the Chapman 04] - The Holy Innocents Read Online Free PDF Page A

that you'll go to your friends in Ashprington and beg a bed for the next few nights. After what has happened, you shouldn't remain here on your own.'
    'You really think me in danger of being robbed again?' When I nodded, she smiled resignedly. 'Very well. And to show my gratitude for your concern, I shall walk with you some of the way towards the town. There could still be hockors about the countryside. You are liable to be caught again.'
    I laughed. 'And you don't think a great fellow like me capable of standing up for himself?'
    'You did precious little standing up an hour or so ago,' Grizelda responded drily. 'And very uncomfortable you looked, sprawling there on the ground.' She added reflectively, 'Big lads such as you are often shy of women in any numbers. I've hocked many men in my time, and it's always the little fellows who are most at ease, giving as good as they get and enjoying each moment of the forfeit. Mark my words, when it's your turn to hock tomorrow, they'll be in the forefront of the gangs.'
    I was disconcerted to discover that she could read me so well. It was true, I was inclined to be shy in the presence of younger women, but had hoped that I concealed the fact. I consoled myself with the thought that very few people were as percipient as Grizelda Harbourne, and that the circumstances under which we had met had been awkward ones for me.
    I made one last effort to dissuade her from accompanying me, expressing concern that she must be tired, having risen so early. But she merely laughed and brushed aside my fears.
    'I'm like my father,' she said, 'of strong constitution. Moreover, I enjoy walking, so it will be no penance to go with you a little way.'
    Finding her so determined, I gave in with a good grace, and we set out together in the direction of Totnes. 'How will you manage without your hen?' I asked her.
    'Buy eggs from my neighbours, or spend a few groats of my hard-earned savings to get myself another. But no bird will be able to replace my dear Félice.'
    We encountered no more hockers, although once, in the distance, we heard sounds of merriment and women's voices shrieking with delight as some unwary man was caught in their toils. But where we were, the only noise was the rustling of the leaves as a small breeze went whispering amongst them. Grizelda seemed to know the more isolated woodland paths, where the beechmast beneath our feet was rich and golden, and where the green mist of unfolding beech leaves made a shade undisturbed by anyone other than ourselves.
    We came out suddenly on to the high, clear ground above Totnes, with the town spread out before us, tumbling down the hillside and spilling over beyond its walls to the tidal marshes and busy shipping quays on the River Dart, far below us. To our right was the castle, raised upon its mound, and beyond that the town's main buildings, including the Benedictine Priory of Saint Mary, the guildhall and houses of the most important burghers, all confined by walls and a ditch and earthworks, which might once have been topped by a palisade. And beyond that again, lay more houses, mills and the meadows and orchards of the Priory. The streets hummed with life, and my spirits lifted. I could do good business here, in the market place and by knocking on doors. A thriving township by the look of it.
    Grizelda said, 'I'll leave you here. Go down the hill and in at the West Gate. It's near the cattle market they call the Rotherfold. Or you can go by South Street, which will bring you south of East Gate into the unwalled part of the town.' She reached up and, unexpectedly, kissed my cheek. 'Good luck, Chapman.'
    Before I had recovered from my surprise, she had swung on her heel and was gone. As she disappeared once more into the belt of woodland from which we had just emerged, I shouted, 'God be with you!' But if she heard me, she gave no sign, not even a glance over her shoulder. I watched until I could no longer see the blue of her skirt among the