Tombland

Some groups of huts though, were quiet, not joining the celebrations, and I guessed people there had lost friends or relatives in the battle. It struck me, too, that there was something forced about the cheerfulness, and I heard the occasional fight erupt; for all their bravery, many who had had their first experience in battle would be in shock.

On returning from Norwich, Michael Vowell had said Nicholas must remain in our hut, so he and I and Barak – reunited at last – stayed there that evening. I told Barak what had passed between Isabella and Chawry. He looked serious. ‘That’s a surprise.’

‘This has been brewing a long time. Up to now he certainly kept himself under control, but to try and rape her – Daniel Chawry is not the man I thought.’

Nicholas said, ‘And if Isabella Boleyn had not been of such strong character, and prepared to fight, he would have done it. And to go to the castle and arrange things by herself – what a woman,’ he added admiringly.

‘I thought you liked them quiet and courtly, like that Beatrice Kenzy.’ Barak spoke jestingly, but from the sadness in his eyes I guessed he was thinking of Tamasin. He had heard nothing yet in reply to his letter.

I said, ‘This makes Chawry a more likely candidate for Boleyn’s poisoner, and maybe Edith’s killer. His feelings towards Isabella have been there for years. I do not think she realized the depths of his – passion. I think he might have attacked her today had not Michael Vowell intervened. It puzzles me that she should have let him go free so readily.’

‘She wants to be rid of him,’ Nicholas suggested.

Barak nodded. ‘Most men told they had no chance would surely have given up long ago, perhaps gone away. There’s something wrong with Chawry.’

I said, ‘And if I remember correctly, he had no alibi for the night Edith was killed.’

Nicholas said, ‘And yet I remember how upset he was when we visited the site of Edith’s death.’

‘Guilt, perhaps,’ Barak observed.

I answered, ‘But if he did kill Edith, and was responsible for the theft of the key and the killings of Snockstobe and his apprentice, he must have had accomplices. By God, I wish we could have detained him. Why did she let him go free? Though I doubt Vowell would have agreed to take him to the camp. Kett’s people are not interested in the case.’

‘They’ve bigger concerns,’ Barak said.

Nicholas asked me, ‘Do you think Chawry will return to Brikewell?’

‘I doubt it. Isabella isn’t going to tell John Boleyn what happened, at least for now. But she will, I am sure, so he has probably fled. In which case we’ve lost him.’

I looked out at the campfires and horn-lamps dotting the dark heath. A song carried on the night air:

When Adam delved and Eve span,

Who was then the gentleman –

* * *

AT BREAKFAST THE next day, Goodwife Everneke said that a preliminary expedition of a hundred men was to be sent to Yarmouth, to see if the city could be persuaded to join us – otherwise it might be attacked with a large force. Religious services went on as usual under the Oak and elsewhere in the camp, and for a moment I considered taking Communion again, but I had slept badly; with three of us the hut was crowded again. It was hard to get my back comfortable, and I could not get what Chawry had done out of my mind.

I went to visit Josephine – she was alone with Mousy, Edward being once more in Norwich, and in a low mood. I stayed with her a while and played with Mousy, then went to see Natty and Simon. Natty said his arm was better; I looked at it and was pleased to see there was less redness now around the wound. Simon, still affected by the battle and the news of Hector Johnson’s death, sat in a corner of the hut, singing quietly to himself, arms round his knees, rocking to and fro. Both were still shocked after the battle, and after a little while I left them.

* * *

THEN I DISCUSSED Nicholas’s forthcoming trial with him. ‘I won’t be able to take any part,’ I said. ‘I have an interest.’

Nicholas looked at me, his green eyes sharp. ‘I had much time to think while I was in the gaol. I have thought of a strategy.’

I smiled. ‘I’m sorry, I forget you are experienced in court proceedings now. But remember, this will be different, the jury will be camp-men and they may be hostile.’

‘I think I can win,’ he said. He looked at Barak, who smiled and nodded. ‘I’ve been making some enquiries about the so-called witnesses,’ he said, and winked.

‘Good. I—’ I felt suddenly faint, and leaned forward with a groan. Nicholas grasped me. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked urgently.

‘I – I think so. There is so much on my mind, for a second my head spun. The air in here –’

‘Yes, it stinks.’

‘It’s more than that,’ Barak said. ‘He’s taken the troubles of the whole world on his shoulders again. John and Isabella Boleyn, you, Simon and Natty, Josephine, everybody.’