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tell your father to contact me. If you would still like the position I will be most delighted to have you as my new apprentice.’
    Later that evening John sat in the library thinking that he must be losing his reason. About to go away, on the brink of fatherhood, he had taken three new people into his life, all of whom – with the exception of Factotum Fred – would hold positions that, with varying degrees of responsibility, could make or break what he now realized was going to be the biggest commercial venture of his life. Could skinny Jacquetta Fortune really take charge of a business empire? Could Gideon Purle, still not yet qualified, be trusted to run a shop and bottle more water in his spare time? Had he made the right decision about appointing Robin Hazell as his new apprentice?
    The Apothecary gave a wry smile. The only one about whom he had no doubts was poor, wretched Fred. For if the little chap turned out to be a regular thief then John would have no hesitation in turning him out. If, however, Fred decided to be as honest a man as any, then he could stay and make good. Maybe even become a future apprentice.
    John caught himself up. He would be thirty-seven on his next birthday; forty was staring him in the face. He wished, suddenly, that his father still lived with him. Or, indeed, that Elizabeth had agreed to marry him so that he might have someone with whom to share his worries. He poured himself another sherry and opened his book, but could not concentrate on reading.
    Then the door opened and Rose, in night attire, stood there.
    â€˜Good evening, Papa.’
    â€˜Rose!’ he exclaimed. ‘What are you doing out of bed?’
    â€˜I just felt that I wanted to hug you.’
    â€˜Then come here, little bundle, and do so.’
    She climbed on to his knee and he stroked her spirals of red hair.
    â€˜Couldn’t you sleep?’
    â€˜I woke up and felt you were sad.’
    â€˜True, I was feeling a bit melancholy. I thought I was getting old.’
    â€˜But we’re all doing that. Even your baby . . .’ She stopped speaking very suddenly and gazed into space. Then she let out a delightful giggle. ‘. . . is getting older every minute.’
    â€˜What was the laughing about?’
    â€˜Nothing.’ She clutched her hands together in childish glee.
    â€˜Something amused you.’
    She shook her head, her eyes twinkling. ‘It’s a secret.’
    â€˜So you’re not going to tell me?’
    â€˜No.’
    John shook his head with a smile and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘I suggest you go off to bed, young lady.’
    â€˜Walk with me. It’s a trifle frightening on the stairs.’
    â€˜Very well. Let’s both carry candles and then we’ll scare the hobgoblins away.’
    Hand in hand they climbed the staircase and John tucked her into bed, and left one of the candles in her room as an extra night light. The house was quiet and he realized that Jacquetta Fortune had also retired for the night. While Gideon, no doubt, was sleeping the sleep of sheer exhaustion in the attic above.
    Tomorrow, thought John, I must leave for Devon and whatever fate has in store for me next. Hoping that all would be well in his absence, the Apothecary retired to the library to try to read some more of his book.

Five
    John rose early the next morning, even before daylight, so that he lingered for a moment by his window watching as the sky lightened to the colour of a seal’s pelt. It was going to be a raw day for his travels, he thought miserably, and called downstairs for some really hot water to wash and shave in. Half an hour later he was dressed and his clothes packed in a small trunk which he would be able to handle without help. Naturally he had wanted to take more garments and make a show, but practicality had triumphed over pretentiousness and the Apothecary had reluctantly packed only a few fashionable