When she was close enough he put his arms around her, and she began to shudder and shake, clinging tightly to him. The tears would come soon enough, he knew that, and it would be a long time before they stopped. Tenderly he stroked her back, the way he had with his daughters when they were young. He had no comfort to give her. She’d loved John, she’d given him every piece, each moment of herself. Now there’d just be emptiness for the rest of her life. Folk started to come from their houses, leaving for work, glancing curiously as they passed. Let them look, he thought. It didn’t matter. She needed this. ‘Come on,’ he said finally, and escorted her gently back to the house. The shutters were closed. He could hear Lucy upstairs, talking to James and Isabell. The deputy was on the pallet, covered with a sheet. Nottingham poured two mugs of ale and handed one to Lizzie. She shook her head at first then took it, draining it quickly. ‘He squeezed my hand,’ she said. ‘He squeezed it before …’ Her voice was raw, and fragile as air.
What do You think about Fair And Tender Ladies (2013)?
