TONY
The last of our things clattered into place and the hired man straightened up, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He had kind eyes, the sort that had seen enough of life not to judge it too harshly.
"That'll be the last of it, Mr. Wade."
Father surveyed the room with the expression he'd been wearing for months now, the one that gave nothing away. "Thank you. It's nice to return to Ravenford after all these years abroad."
The man's face softened. "I'm sure it will help, sir. To clear your head after... well. After the horrible loss of your wife. We were all very fond of her."
Something moved across Father's face, brief and quickly controlled. Pain, maybe. Or anger. Possibly both. "Yes. Thank you again for your help."
The door clicked shut and Father turned to me as t
