Chapter 42
It wasn’t until a soft voice reached his ears that Jacob shapped back to reality. “You look really nice today.
“Thank you.” Gemma accepted the compliment with graceful ease.
Jacob scratched his head and grinned. “Don’t you get bored staying home all the time?”
“Not really.”
“Then how about I take you out for a bit? I’ll be good to get some fresh air.” Jacob suggested.
She thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
“Let’s go then”
The two headed toward the front door, but they had only taken a few steps when something tagged at the hem of Gemma’s dress. She looked down to see Florian staring up at her, his large, round eyes filled with hope..
“Gemma.”
“What is it? Her voice was calm and composed.
“Where are you going?”
I’m heading out.”
“Can I come with you?” he asked in his childish voice.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Gemma replied, “No.”
Disappointment flooded the boy’s face. He looked visibly upset. “But I want to go out and play with you.”
Gemma couldn’t explain why, but ever since she returned from abroad, Sadie’s son had been trying to get close to her. Calling her by her name with such easy familiarity, as if a natural closeness existed between them.
But she had no intention of getting close to him. They shared a father, but he was born after she had already lett for Vesterland. She had no feelings for him. “It’s not convenient for me to take you,” she replied.
Florian’s lips quivered. He looked like he was about to cry, completely heartbroken. But even then, she remained fimm.
“Let’s go,” she said to Jacob
Jacob britated. “Why don’t we bring him along? He seems to really want to go.”
Just as Gemtuma was about to respond, a voice called down from upstairs.
“Grimnia, are you and Jake heading out?”
Gemma looked up but said nothing
“Yes, Mrs. Field,” Jacob replied.
“What’s wrong with Pla?
He wants to cater with us.
Badie uniled and odded. “I see Warte ate you two going?”
would it be okay if Flo and I joined you? He’s eager to got it he doesn’t get his way, he’ll be sulking all day.” Jacob didn’t pespaid right away. Sadie tuined to Genua with a pleasant sanile. “Gemma, what do you think?“. Centuna looked at lær for a few seconds, then led and nudded. “Of course.”
What was supposed to be a quiet outing with Jacob tumed to groups
with Float and Sadie into acob took them to a large amusement paik. Florian
was thrilled, draccing sadie around the children’s antion asl played to his heart’s content.
by flur attenrasti, tiny had played cough and weir just about trady for a meal when Sadie suddenly lummed in Geina.
femma glarend at the by Altri a parent’s hesitation, she nodded. “
“Altigla.”
- d. 1 katlanamay witdie Jacole walked lart try toy boh and went to buy has a bottle of water “Taped?” he asked whenler returned
jacobi gave an aelwand laugh “You doutorgay emang parkam you barely led at the idea.” She held the bottle and looked at hien for a whilean li trying to decideungwelling our wanted to tell blini alarut. Before she could speak, Sadie rame running toward them, tra
“Gemuna, Jake…. Flo is missing”
Bareve and polite winter gone, replaced by penite.
Chapter 43
