The Midsummer Crown Read Online Free Page B

punched me in the belly, which recently had become his chosen method of greeting. All the same, I sensed that everyone was happy to have me at home once more, and reconciled myself to a prolonged period of domesticity, peddling my wares amongst the town’s citizens and the surrounding countryside. And, of course, drinking with my friends in the Green Lattis.
    â€˜You’re back, then,’ Jack Nym observed when I sought him out to thank him for his care of Adela and the children during their journey from London to Bristol.
    â€˜No, I’m still on my way,’ I replied with a grin. ‘This is my ghost you’re talking to.’
    â€˜There’s no need for sarcasm,’ he grumbled, but waved aside all my attempts to express my gratitude. ‘It were business,’ he disclaimed. ‘You paid me and they weren’t ’ny trouble. Leastways, not the humans, but that dog o’ yours, he’s another matter. He’ll chase anything what moves. There weren’t a sheep between here and Lunnon what were safe from him. On and off the cart he was until I came very near to strangling him with me bare hands.’
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘He usually does what he’s told.’
    â€˜By you, yes. But you weren’t there, were you?’ He sniffed. ‘So, how did things go in Lunnon then, after we left? Solved the problem, did you?’
    â€˜Yes.’ I answered briefly, but I wasn’t really interested in going over events yet again. I had spent my entire first two evenings at home satisfying Adela’s curiosity and was tired of the subject. Besides, I had questions of my own that wanted answering. ‘Is there anyone here,’ I went on, glancing around the usual throng that packed the ale-room, ‘who has recently returned from London? Within the last two or three days?’
    â€˜What are you up to now?’ Jack asked with a leery look, but being the obliging chap that he was, peered around at our fellow drinkers until suddenly he nodded and pointed a bony finger at a man sitting alone in a corner. ‘Over there. Joshua Bullman. A carter like meself, but transports animals mainly. I know he was taking some sheep up near Lunnon . . . oh . . . week afore last, maybe.’ He raised his voice above the general hubbub and called, ‘Josh! Josh Bullman!’ And when, finally, the man looked our way indicated that the carter should join us.
    I ordered fresh cups of ale all round as Master Bullman wedged himself alongside me on the bench.
    â€˜You’ve not long returned from London Jack tells me.’
    â€˜Yesterday as it happens.’ He finished the ale that remained in his beaker as the pot-boy scurried off to execute my order. ‘Left there a week ago. Why d’you want to know?’
    â€˜I was there three weeks back myself. I wondered what’s been happening in the meantime.’
    Joshua Bullman shrugged his powerful shoulders. ‘Nothing much. They’re beginning to put up the street decorations for the young king’s coronation. He – the king that is – is in the royal apartments in the Tower, but the queen – well her that was queen – and the rest of the children, they’re still in sanctuary at Westminster and refusing to come out.’ He shrugged again. ‘That’s about all there is to tell.’
    â€˜And the Duke of Gloucester?’ I queried.
    â€˜Governing the country, I suppose.’ The man laughed. ‘How should I know? I’m only a poor carter.’ He added with heavy humour, ‘No doubt His Grace would like to consult me, but I’m a busy man. He’ll just have to manage without my advice as best he can.’
    I forced a smile, but Jack, a more appreciative audience, roared with laughter and continued chuckling to himself long after the time warranted by such a feeble joke. I kicked him hard on the ankle, but it