Tombland

Barak nodded, picking at a loose thread on his shirt. ‘I’ve had a letter from Tammy. Jesu knows how it got here from London, sheer chance, according to the man who brought it up from the Blue Boar Inn. She never got my last letter. I’ll show it to you; come, let’s get out of this fug.’

We left the hut and walked a little way off. He pulled a letter from his shirt, handing it to me. It was dated 19 July, four days before, and its tone was desperate.

Husband,

It is over a month since I heard from you last; I do not know if you are even alive. I have made enquiries everywhere. I even went to Master Shardlake’s house, but his steward has heard nothing of him since he went to Norfolk. I went to the house of Mistress Beatrice Kenzy, whose daughter you told me Nicholas was courting. Mistress Kenzy’s mother treated me with great haughtiness, but said they had heard nothing from Nicholas. All in London know of the rebellions across the country, and that the trouble in Norfolk is bad. I pray you are not a prisoner of the rebels. Goodwife Marris and I have had a hard time, vittles grow ever more expensive. The city is under martial law, and full of soldiers – people say an army is to be prepared to march against Norfolk now, as well as those sent to Devon and Oxfordshire. There are Italian mercenaries here, dressed like peacocks. They cry obscenities after women, and the constables do naught to stop them. Four rebel leaders from Essex and Kent are to be executed as traitors in three days, and the King is to ride through London. There are rumours of the very end of the world.

I beg you, Husband, if you are alive, please write. I want nothing in the world but to see you again. The children constantly ask where you are, and I cannot comfort them.

Guy has written this for me again since you know my lettering is not good. He himself is a little better, and sends his wishes and prayers.

Your loving wife,

Tamasin

Barak sat on a little knoll, his head down. ‘I am ashamed,’ he said. ‘So much of what brought me here was my resentment against her. Now I realize I have left her alone and desperate.’ He shook his head. ‘But I have given my oath to Captain Kett.’

I sat beside him. ‘You can write back. I can ask Captain Kett if he can do his best to ensure your letter gets through.’

‘Thank you. But in this chaos there is no certainty.’

I laid a hand on his. ‘It is hard for you, yet I am glad in a way. I always knew you still loved Tamasin, that there was a way back for you both.’

He looked me, his eyes narrowing suddenly. He said slowly, ‘I cannot leave, but you could. It’s easy, the eastern side of the camp is too large to be policed.’

I shook my head. ‘I, too, have given my oath. Besides, I realize now how little I have to return to.’ I smiled. ‘Well, at least my steward Goodcole and his family have not run off with the silver.’

‘If you got home, you could tell Tamasin I am safe,’ he pressed.

‘Is that all you are thinking of?’ I asked, suddenly angry.

He looked at me. ‘No. I have been thinking about what might happen to you if the rebels lose. Consider your future. You are widely known to have helped Captain Kett.’

‘Only to dispense justice, and it is also known that I have been responsible for some gentlemen being set free for lack of evidence. I have done less to help the camp than Codd or Aldrich.’

‘They turned their coats when the Herald arrived.’

I smiled and spread my hands. ‘They were in Norwich. I was in the camp, I had no such option. Or so I can argue.’