William Monk 18 - A Sunless Sea

for the person who had walked up One Tree Hill with Lambourn, and left him up there to bleed to death.
    B OTH H ESTER AND M ONK had done all they could to keep the desperation of the trial away from Scuff, but he was far too observant for them to have succeeded. Christmas morning was bright and cold, at least to begin with, although it closed over and there was a promise of snow later on.
    Hester was up very early, long before daylight, to put the goose in the oven, and to hang garlands of ribbons and holly up around the house.
    She and Monk had in the end decided to get Scuff a watch, the best one they could afford, with his initials and the date engraved on the back. As well as that there were other small things, such as little bags of sweets, homemade fudge, and his favorite nuts. Monk had found him a pair of really warm woolen socks and Hester had very carefully cut down one of Monk’s cravats to make it the right size for Scuff’s slenderneck. And of course she had also chosen a book for him, one he would thoroughly enjoy reading.
    About eight o’clock in the morning, when it was at last truly daylight, she heard the kitchen door open and Scuff put his head around nervously. Then he saw the holly and the ribbons, and his eyes widened.
    “Is it Christmas?” he said a little breathlessly.
    “Yes it is,” she replied with a wide smile. “Merry Christmas!” She put down the spoon she had been using to stir the porridge and walked over to him. She considered asking his permission to kiss him, then decided it would give him the opportunity to refuse, even if he actually wanted her to, so she just put both arms around him and hugged him hard. She kissed his warm cheek. “Merry Christmas, Scuff!” she said again.
    He froze for a moment, then shyly he kissed her back.
    “Merry Christmas, Hester,” he replied, then blushed scarlet at the familiarity of using her name.
    She ignored it, trying not to let him see her smile. “Would you like breakfast?” she asked. “There’s porridge first, but don’t eat too much, because there are bacon and eggs after. And of course there’s a roast goose for dinner.”
    He drew in a deep breath. “A real one?”
    “Of course. It’s a real Christmas,” she told him.
    He gulped. “I got a present for yer. Do yer want it now?” He was fidgeting on his seat, already halfway to standing up again.
    She had not the heart to make him wait. His eyes were bright, his face flushed. “I’d love to see it now,” she answered.
    He slid to the floor and ran out into the hall, and she heard his feet on the stairs. Only moments later he was back again with something in his hand that was small and wrapped in a piece of cloth. Watching her face intently, he held it out to her.
    She took it and unwrapped it, wondering what she would find, and already anxious. It was a small silver pendent with a single pearl in it. It hung on a fine chain. In that moment it was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. And she was terrified as to where he had got it.
    She looked up and met his eyes.
    “D’yer like it?” he asked almost under his breath.
    There was a lump in her throat she had to swallow before she could speak. “Of course I do. It’s perfect. How could anyone not love it?” Dare she ask where he got it? Would he think she didn’t trust him?
    He relaxed and his face flooded with relief. “I got it from a tosher,” he said proudly. “I done errands fer ’im. ’E let me ’ave it.”
    Suddenly he looked embarrassed and his gaze slid away from hers. “I said it were for me ma. Is that all right?”
    Now it was she who felt the warmth wash up her face. “It’s … it’s more than all right,” she told him as she carefully put the chain around her neck and fastened the clasp. She saw his eyes shine with pleasure, and she couldn’t resist reaching down and hugging him gently.
    “In fact it couldn’t be better,” she added, releasing him before he could feel uncomfortable. “We have a couple of things for you, when William comes down.”
    “I got summink for ’im too,” Scuff said, reassuring her.
    “I’m sure you have,” she replied. “Are you ready for porridge? We’ve got a very special, busy day ahead.”
    “How long is it Christmas?” he asked, seating himself at the table.
    “All day, actually until the middle of the night,” she answered. “Then it’s Boxing Day, and that’s a holiday, too.”
    “Good. I like Christmas,” he