Hal had found it difficult to leave his father in Rotherhithe knowing he would be alone that night. He looked at his brother sitting opposite him in the hackney. What would he tell their mother about his time with him? ‘I’ve never asked you what you said to Mama about going to Jamaica. She can’t have been thrilled with the idea.’
‘She wasn’t. Nor was she pleased when I told her I wouldn’t become a minister.’
‘I imagine not. So we both ended up with Papa. I, at least, knew why he was leaving and who he was leaving with. Would you have come had you known?’
‘Probably not. So, it’s just as well I didn’t.’
Hal laughed. ‘No Pearl.’
Michael joined in, though his face became serious before he spoke again. ‘Papa helped me more than I can say. I couldn’t really understand what made me go to him
