Page 31 of If I Were Wind

“I’ll let you have some ofmypudding. See if you don’t think it’s thebest.”

I chuckled. “It’s not a competition, Ash.”

“No one says my pudding isn’t the best. Now off you go. Don’t you see I’m busy?” He groaned something else I didn’t catch and started kneading dough on the scarred wooden table. Grumpy old man.

“Have you seen Roy?” I asked casually. I was interrogating everyone I met. But since Roy hadn’t had the decency to contact me to tell me I had a new partner, I wanted to know what he’d been up to in the past few days.

“Aye.” He kept his gaze on his work.

I propped a hip on the table. “How is he?”

“A rabid hellhound he’s been. Preoccupied. Irritable.” Flour soared into the air as he punched the dough. “He’s never been sweet, but in the past days, he’s given the devil a run for his money.”

The good thing about chatting with Ashcombe was that he went straight to the point and never asked me why I wanted to know something. I couldn’t deny the little, selfish bubble of joy growing within me at learning that Roy had been as miserable as I had. Served him right.

“Is he around?” I asked.

He stopped kneading the dough and shot me a glare. “Yes, but if I were you, I’d avoid him. He might bite your head off.”

“Nothing new to me.” I patted his shoulder. “See you later.”

“Be careful, lass.” He patted my hand back, leaving a smear of flour. “He isn’t himself. I haven’t seen him like that since…”

“Since?” I pressed on when he didn’t add anything else.

He waved a dismissive hand, sending flour everywhere. “Never mind. Just be careful.”

“I will be.”

“Stay away from Kenneth as well.” Another head shake. “History repeats itself, and an abused person becomes an abuser.”

I edged closer and lowered my voice. “What happened to him?”

“Commander Thompson was brutal to him.” Anger flickered over the hard slant of his mouth. “He was brutal with every child, even with Roy. God, how terribly he treated Roy. Every mistake Roy made meant public humiliation, no food, and a beating. Roy was terrified to make mistakes. But Kenneth couldn’t take the treatment. I’m no expert, but if you beat a child, he’ll turn into a beater. So steer clear of him. And now go, I’m busy.”

“Thank you.”

He scoffed when I kissed his cheek. It was all a show. He was a sweet man under all that grumpiness.

I climbed the stairs, gazing around and trying to catch any signs of Roy. Pathetic. The majority of the cadets had been reared by foster parents carefully selected by the government, so they were spread around the country for the holidays. The corridors were nearly empty. And Roy wasn’t around. But Peggy was in our room, lying on her crimson four-poster bed when I entered. Papers and books were scattered around her, leaving almost no space on the quilt. With her red hair twisted in a messy bun, she was frowning at the book she was reading, a pencil in her hand.

“Peggy.” I hurried towards her, but slowed my pace when she shut the books and gathered the papers so quickly that I couldn’t read any of the titles.

“Kristin.” Surprise rang in my name, but not of the good type. She let out a shaky laugh. “I didn’t hear you coming. Welcome back.”

I gave her a quick hug, trying to peek at what she was reading. Chemistry, biology, and zoology. She turned a few documents facedown when she noticed my attention.

“When did you come back?” I asked.

“Two days ago. My parents went up north to visit some relatives. I didn’t fancy a few days in the snow, although it’s freezing even here.”

“It’s snowing.” I sat on the edge of the bed. “Clare?”

“Haven’t seen her since I’ve been back.” She patted me on the shoulder, her features relaxing. “Rumour has it that you have a partner. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Not an ounce of enthusiasm sparked in my voice.

“Nathan is a nice chap. He left your luggage over there, in the corner.” She pointed at the suitcase I’d ignored upon entering.

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