Massa send me off on plenty errands. I always leave before dawn, must return by that same night. But is the first time I going travel so far, come to see a wider world, be away from Rock Pleasant long enough to get a taste of freedom. And as soon as everybody hear bout it, they all call out, beg me to take gifts to them relatives.

Melon have some fortified cake she want to send for her sister. She give me a little taste, before she wrap it up good. Melon sister, Winnie, is a little bit older, have a different father. She work for a family in Montego Bay. She been there as long as Melon been on the plantation and when she was younger Melon always begging Massa for permission to go have a visit. She always seem glad to come back though.

‘Life is plenty different up in the big town dem. Is not for me.’

‘What you mean?’ I ask.

‘You going see. Just don’t let it turn you head. Fall into bad ways. Dem people live in a world of plenty, have everything dem want. But it don’t put joy in dem heart. It only seem to make dem sour with wanting.’

Then she hug me up good, tell me to give them hugs to Winnie.

Sydney come round surprise me one evening, when she beg me to take a bag of coins, sewn up tight in a pouch, she been saving for her daughters, Ellen and Jane. She tell me them turn into heavy churchgoers. The coins going help buy cloth to make new dresses to wear on Sundays.

Just before leaving, Mary come up to me all shy like, give me a doll she make out of rags and dried grass.

‘Who this for, Mary?’

‘For baby Jesus,’ she tell me.

‘Give it to Tom-Tom first.’ I try not to smile. ‘When it get well played with, going make a nicer present for baby Jesus.’ Thinking by the time I return, she going forget all bout it.

Mary smile and shake her head.

‘No. Must give it to baby Jesus. Calla tell me to give it to you.’

I give in and take the doll from Mary, put it in the crocus bag I found, going use to carry all the little presents.

Finally the day come when Mister Buchanan ready to depart. I hurry up to the Great House, check to make sure the stone blocks piled up in the back of the wagon tied down good. Climb in the front and gather up the reins. When Mister Buchanan mount up on him horse, I crack the whip over the backs of the mules and we start to make our way down the carriageway, the dogs running beside us barking them farewells. I turn to take one last look when I see Stella, Sammy and Eliza come running up. They stand behind Massa, off to the side, waving goodbye.