Massa nod, turn to the gentleman and say, ‘Mister Buchanan, here’s the slave I was telling you about. His name is William. Fit and strong. Tomorrow he’ll ride out to the quarry with us and you can show him how to cut the stone.’

Mister Buchanan look me up and down.

‘Yes, he looks strong enough, but will he take to the craft? Mason Charlie already knows how to repair and restore the stonework. Might be best if I bring him along, he—’

Massa stop the flow of talk.

‘Let’s wait and see how William goes. Mason Charlie is getting old, feeble in the head. He served my father well, but he’s not up to the task ahead.’

And with that him turn back to looking at the paper laid out on the table.

I come to understand me dismissed, so I head round the back to the kitchens. Look through the window check see what Melon up to. If she in a good mood, I might get a little feed. Mary scrubbing pots like always and Melon laughing and joking with Tiny, one of the new kitchen helpers she have working under her. A young girl, she short and big-armed just like Melon and she seem able to suffer Melon moods.

‘Evening, Melon, evening Tiny, evening Mary,’ giving them me best smile as I come through the back door.

‘What you a’do? Begging food like always,’ Melon say. She pinch me cheek.

‘Remember that crab him bring for us,’ Tiny say, giving me a wink.

‘That puny one, have no meat? That one?’ Melon say in a teasing voice.

‘Puny or not, me earn a little feed.’

‘True enough, but see that wood out there?’ Melon say. She point outside.

‘What wood?’ trying not to notice how big the pile is.

‘The one right in front of you nose,’ Mary say with a giggle.

Seem like she finally coming good. Some days, though, she still suffer when them dark, night-time memories hit her. She just sit in the corner sucking her thumb like a baby. When that happen, Melon give up trying to shake her out of it, learn is best to let her be. But tonight, we all lucky, because when Mary in a good mood, everybody spirits get lifted.

‘Go chop wood with Willy,’ Melon tell her after she notice Mary been scrubbing the same pot over and over again. Mary nod, follow me outside. We spend the next few hours her giggling and singing and me chopping up wood.

When the last log get all chopped up, finally Melon give me a feed. And tonight is a tasty one. I get a big slice of sweet coconut cake, take it back to the hut, sit on the step and eat it. Think bout what happen.