“Workshop. Left before first light.”
“And Mother?”
“Went to deliver a baby sometime after midnight. You were probably still out rolling in moss.”
Nic grunted, rummaging through the cupboard. He found the last of the strawberry preserves and slammed the jar a bit harder than necessary onto the table. He dropped into a chair and tore off a piece of bread.
Uriah raised an eyebrow. “You’re a real delight in the morning, you know that?”
“I’m sore,” Nic muttered. “And not in the mood.”
“You’re glowing,” Uriah said, chewing with theatrical slowness. “Like someone who’s been up to something questionable and very, very satisfying.”
Nic shot him a look. “Drop it.”
Uriah didn’t. “Mam says you’re going to get Helen pregnant and ruin your lives.”
Nic choked mid-bite, coughing as a clump of bread and tart preserve caught in his throat. He reached for the tea and took a long, scalding gulp, eyes watering.
“God! Is that what she actually said?”
“More or less. Something aboutreputations. Consequences. She was talking about it with Da last night. When you didn’t come home.”
Nic slammed the mug down a bit too hard. He pushed his chair back slightly, bracing one elbow on the table. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Great...”
“You know how she gets.”
“Well, she can worry about her own life,” he said. “Mine’s not hers to micromanage.”
Uriah gave him a sidelong look. “She’s your mother, Nic. She’s allowed to care.”
“Caring’s one thing. Talking behind my back like I’m thirteen and sneaking around with the miller’s daughter is another.”
Uriah raised a brow. “Are you sneaking around?”
Nic didn’t answer. He ripped off a hunk of bread and shoved it into his mouth. It stuck to the back of his throat, dry and unpleasant.
“Look,” Uriah went on, voice quieter now, “I’m not trying to get in your business. But people are noticing, that’s all. You and Helen aren’t exactly subtle.”
Nic swallowed hard, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah? Let them notice.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
Nic stood abruptly, turning toward the washbasin. “What bothers me is everyone acting like I’m some walking mistake in Helen’s life.”
He splashed cold water on his face, gripping the edge of the basin like it might keep him from unraveling.
Behind him, Uriah’s voice stayed careful. “I don’t think that. I just... I’ve seen how you are when you come back from being with her. And how you are now. It’s like night and day.”
Nic straightened, drying his face with the kitchen towel. His tone came back clipped and light. “That’s called being tired, Uri. You’ll understand when you’re not naive and dreamy-eyed.”
Uriah leaned forward slightly. “It’s not just tired. You look—”
“Spare me your analysis.”
There was a beat of silence. Uriah sat back, lips pursed. “Alright. Fine.”
Nic turned, his voice cooler. “I’ve got a site to finish. If you’re not busy later, I could use a hand.”
