“Aye,” said Eileen. She hesitated, then added, “after last night’s encounter, I thought it might be a good idea.”
“Sensible,” said Thomas.
“Did Henry give you enough money?”
“Enough to set up shop-keeping,” said Thomas.
“Then let’s go spend some,” said Eileen.
The day was just as cold as the one before. The clean white snow that had fallen the previous night was already dirty grey, save a few patches of brilliant white that threatened to blind them. The streets were as crowded as ever, and Thomas was glad he’d secreted the purse deep inside his clothes, where even the best pickpocket would have a hard time reaching it. Squinting in the bright, cold sunlight, Thomas led them into the city, starting with the bookstore they’d visited day before. There wasn’t anything new, but the owner a
