the delicious wolves

2: jealous of your cigarette

1928

It was true that Diamond Bishop never had a warm place in Master William Brands' heart. What Patrick Bishop, her husband of four and a half years (and life long friend), saw in her was a thing Will had never understood. Perhaps he could see that Pat liked her for her shining chocolate brown hair, fair complexion and deep green eyes. Or maybe it was because, no matter how Will despised her, she was smart and made good conversation.

It had been ten years since he and his three friends, Fred Taylor, Sam Clarke, and Patrick Bishop, had returned from the war. They had all grown up together near Birmingham in the West Midlands, and had all enlisted together. That had been fourteen years ago. The echoes of the war were still felt here, injured men drinking at pubs, young widows struggling to support their families.

William lived once more in his hometown of Bournville, just south of Birmingham. He had moved back there right before Patrick wed Diamond. He was living in his childhood home, having inherited it after his father had passed away earlier that year. Sam Clarke had helped him get the house in order, but the place brought little joy to his heart... and whatever joy he had now seemed to be quailed by the despicable Diamond Bishop - a woman undeserving of her name.

"He left two mornings ago while we were in Selly Oak," Selly Oak was just north of Bournville, which would explain why Diamond had 'just been in the neighbourhood,' "said he'd be back by nightfall, or early morning at the latest. I'm sorry to bother you, but you are his best friend."

Best friend? Will thought to himself bitterly. I've barely spoken to him since you married him.

"Do you think he's all right?"

"Patrick?" No, Will thought. I think he's insane.

"Yes of course! Something must have happened. Oh Will, you have to help me!"

Will tensed at the informality of being called 'Will' by someone he barely knew. Why had he even invited her in for tea? Of course it wasn't the English way to send someone off when they've come for a visit, but he probably could have come up with an excuse. "Oh hullo Diamond. Sorry, I'm in the middle of something extremely important. Yes, please go away, and for pity's sake - never come back!" No, of course that couldn't have worked.

"Where's Fred?" Will was asking where Pat's two-year-old son was, the son he'd named after their friend Fred Taylor.

"Fred? Oh Will, do you understand what I'm saying? Pat has been missing for two days. It's unlike him!"

"Maybe he just couldn't be bothered to leave the pub so soon..." Will muttered to himself, thinking over what Diamond was telling to him. It was possible that Pat might be hurt somewhere. Half of him wanted to jump up, grab his riffle and dash off on a horse to find Pat. The other half was too angry at Diamond, at Pat, at himself, and couldn't be bothered to leave home.

"His horse returned riderless this afternoon. You have to help me find him."

Will looked at her, trying to hide his concern. "You mean you want me to find him for you, isn't that it?"

"William Brand. I know you seem to have ill feelings towards me, but will you stop being so stubborn and think about Pat for a moment!"

"I think about Pat-" every second of every day. Will cut himself off. "Where was he heading to?"

"Worcester."

"He rode his horse to Worcester in the middle of winter!?"

"I doubt he knew there was going to be a snowstorm, when it struck he must have been near or on the south road... Oh Will I'm so worried. I know you-"