inevitable entanglements » a.i. + l.h.

14

After a good night's sleep, some alone time and the news that Luke was learning how to read and write, Michael's mood cleared up a little. He exited his room that morning beaming at the servants with a letter clutched under his arm. 

He found Gabriel in the classroom where he was teaching Luke more about the cities in the kingdom while Ashton was reading a book of some sort. 

"Good morning."

Ashton whispered, as if raising his voice would ruin Luke's concentration. The boy did look a little funny with his eyebrows crunched and his tongue stuck out of his mouth. He was trying to write down the names of the cities Gabriel pointed at on the map.

"I can't remember that one."

He said, frowning at the city, as if it would magically make the answer appear. It was on the tip of his tongue.

"That's Liverpool."

Michael said and Luke looked up, only now noticing him. A bright smile took over his features when he whispered Michael, happiness radiating from his appearance. Michael could have sworn Ashton scowled at how delighted Luke was to see him.

"What's Liverpool like?"

Luke asked, trying to link the city with one of his memories. 

"I once went there when I was sixteen to go to a local hospital. I stayed in a hostel not too far from the baker's street."

"I remember that. You brought some crepes and other pastries for me and a map for Gabriel."

Ashton chimed in. His usual smile had reappeared at the thought of breakfast, which was his favourite meal of the day. 

Gabriel had started ruffling through some cupboards to try to find the map. When he finally found it, he spread it out on Luke's desk. 

"This is where I stayed and here's the hospital. It wasn't that big, but it was worth visiting. The nurses were very nice and the doctors taught me a lot. I felt bad for them. They had to work incredibly long hours and the building reeked of death and disease. In certain rooms, there was even blood on the wall."

It wasn't the worst hospital he had ever been to, but it definitely wasn't one of the best either. 

"What does this say?"

Luke pointed at one of the street names that had been written on the map in curly letters. 

"I'm sure you can read it, Luke."

Gabriel tutted, refusing to read it out loud. He knew the boy didn't want to try because Michael was there. He was ashamed of himself, something Gabriel understood even though it was undeserved. It took both brothers a couple of years to learn how to read and write properly and even they made mistakes sometimes.

"Go on, I want to hear you read."

Michael sent Luke an encouraging smile, making it impossible for Luke to say no. He softly broke the word off in letters, before looking up, his cheeks a little red.

"Butcher's street?"

Michael broke into grin. For some unexplainable reason he was proud of Luke, the boy who used to spend his days dropping plates and bumping into people.

"That's entirely correct. Do you recognise it?"

Gabriel asked, equally proud. After all, he was the one who had taught him all this. He was going to turn this boy into a genius, he was sure.

"I think I might have been there. Michael, did you happen to see a butcher's shop with a heavy lady with eyes similar to Ashton's and curly ginger hair?"