When I handed him a groat, his face lit up with a wide smile which unfortunately revealed a snaggle of blackened teeth. He spat on the coin before putting it in his pocket. ‘For luck, Master.’ He touched his fist to his forehead and returned to the horse.
‘Grazie.’ I called after him. I was still a little uncertain of the value of such a coin. However, as Susannah had shown no reaction, I assumed it appropriate. She put her arm through mine, and I looked at her enquiringly. ‘He might be of no help, but it is worth a try.’
Grazie‘Yes,’ she murmured. ‘Anything is worth a try.’
Bannister’s proved to be a low sort of place, not surprisingly, there to cater for servants and tradesmen rather than the occupants of the great houses. Well, ordinaries were never aimed at them. Hence the name, I i
