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‘We need to find a bed for the night,’ I said, aware that the light was fading fast and I could barely keep my eyes open. ‘We can’t really do anything else now it’s getting dark.’
‘We’d better ask someone if there’s an inn around here,’ Romy said, shivering.
‘Why are we here?’ Blaise muttered. He stared at Romy and added, ‘Who are you?’
‘Oh heck,’ I said. ‘We’d better get him safely into a room before he says something he shouldn’t. Excuse me, madam!’
I hailed a woman who was passing by with two young children at her side. She eyed me with some surprise, then glanced at Romy and Blaise. Evidently our unpatched clothes gave us a certain respectability.
‘Can I help you, sir?’ she asked.
‘I was wondering if you knew of anywhere we could rent rooms for the night?’ I said hopefully. ‘An inn perhaps?’
Her brow furrowed as she considered my question. The young boy by her side nodded eagerly.
‘The Royal Oak’s not far away, is it, Ma?’
The woman tutted impatiently. ‘No, it’s not, but…’ She looked doubtful. ‘Perhaps it’s not to your standard, sir.’
‘I’m sure it will be fine,’ I said, thinking the sooner I could lie down, and we got Blaise inside the better. ‘You couldn’t show us where it is, could you?’
The boy nodded eagerly. ‘I could take you.’ He paused. ‘Although it’s a bit out of my way, mind.’
I rummaged in my pocket and held up a silver threepence. ‘Would this help to make up for your trouble?’
He grinned. ‘Okay. I’ll show you.’
‘You come straight home,’ his mother told him. She took the coin from my fingers. ‘I’ll keep that safe, sir,’ she said primly, which made the boy groan while the girl laughed gleefully.
The boy led us through various alleys I barely recognised. I was quickly confused, which was strange as I’d lived in this village all my life, and many of the buildings in it were extremely old. Evidently not as old as I’d assumed, though. And I couldn’t deny that the appearance was so different to modern-day Gerrenporth that it was easy to become disoriented.
‘I know this place,’ Romy murmured, as the boy cheerfully waved a hand and told us we were at The Royal Oak.
I thanked him and gave him another penny, which put a wide smile on his face as he ran off. I doubted he’d tell his mother about his little bonus.
‘What do you mean, you know this place?’ I asked Romy, who’d gone distinctly pale.
‘In our time,’ she whispered, ‘this was called The Fool’s Journey. I don’t like it in here, Wulfram. This—this is where it all started.’
Chapter 39
Romy 1673
I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. I had bad memories of this place. ‘The very first day Keely and Harley and I arrived in Gerrenporth we went inside this place. We met someone there. A woman called—’
‘Lyrica,’ Wulfram finished for me. ‘Keely told me. She read your tarot cards, didn’t she?’ He surveyed the squat building with interest. ‘I think you’re right. This is The Fool’s Journey. Well, it is in our time, but for now it’s The Royal Oak, and let’s hope they have a couple of rooms to let.’
‘Seriously?’ I asked. ‘We’re going in there?’
‘We need to get off the streets,’ he reminded me. ‘Sorry, Romy, but I honestly don’t think I can stand up much longer. You have no need to worry. Lyrica’s hardly likely to be in there now, is she?’
I felt a bit foolish. ‘I suppose not. Sorry.’
‘Where are we going?’ Blaise cried in alarm, as I took his hand and led him towards the door.
‘It’s all right,’ I reassured him. ‘We’re just going to take a room for the night. You’re not well, my love, but you’ll feel better in the morning.’
I gave Wulfram a look.At least, I hope so.
