Lily took the bowl of bloody water and poured it out of the window. Her apron was covered in red streaks and she could feel beads of sweat running down her neck. What a strange, stressful turn of events. How often did Jem have to deal with this? And, more importantly, how did he manage it all?

As if summoned by her thoughts of him, Jem returned, alone. He looked exhausted and his eyes were red raw and puffy. A shimmer of tears was still just about visible on his eyelashes. There was a bruise the colour of midnight rising on his cheek bone and his hair had been yanked out of its usual knot so that it fell in a thick blanket around his face. The whole impression was one of hopelessness.

‘Jem?’

He shook his head and lowered himself into the armchair, wincing. He closed his eyes and let his head rest on his palm. Brenna, who Lily had learnt was very sensitive to others’ emotions, stood and went over to Jem. He looked up and managed to force a smile. Brenna proceeded to climb into Jem’s lap and rested her head on his chest and he wrapped a protective arm around her. From the look on his face, Lily knew that Brenna’s simple act of kindness meant more to him than the little girl knew. He needed confirmation that he was able to do right by these children, to care for them and protect them.

A single tear rolled down his bruised cheek.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lily managed to convince Glenn to walk, or rather limp, with her over to his room. She tucked him up in bed with fresh blankets after reapplying the salve and gave him strict instructions to rest and sleep.

‘I’ll bring some stew up for you in a few hours, all right? But rest now, Glenn.’

The boy smiled gratefully and then, with a wince, turned over onto his side to face her. ‘Lily?’ He rasped.

She paused in the doorway. ‘Can I get you something, love?’

‘C-company,’ he stuttered, ‘would be really nice.’

This was the most he’d spoken to her since she had arrived. She didn’t know whether to be concerned or flattered that he had chosen her to keep him company, but she was pleased either way; if he was ready to talk, if she could help him at all, then she’d give him her full attention. She perched on the end of his bed and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘Of course. But I don’t want you to overexert yourself. We can talk a little while, and then you really must get some sleep.’

He nodded, but didn’t speak. He bit his lip and suddenly couldn’t meet her eye.

‘Was there something specific you wanted to talk to me about, Glenn?’

He nodded again.

‘Where were you, before you found your way here?’ Lily hoped leading questions might help his shyness. Perhaps he didn’t want to impose a subject on her, but if she could lead him towards what he wanted to talk about, perhaps it would lessen how stressed he felt.