Chapter 255: Saviours, Part 13, Five Years Ago

There is a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opens, a face edging nervously around. “Mr Kalkowski, can I talk with you for a few minutes?”

The old man puts his book to one side. “Of course you can, Jenny. Do come in. It’s good to see you. Please forgive me not getting up. It is not so easy for me as it once was.”

“That’s alright. Um, would you like me to make some tea?”

“Thank you. I would. And if you look in the larder, you will find a cake that Mrs Collier kindly gave me.”

Jenny makes tea, pouring it from a porcelain pot into fine china cups and saucers. She cuts two slices of cake and passes one across.”

“Thank you, Jenny. Now, what can I do for you? I’ve missed our little chats since you left school you know.”

She sips tea, but the cup clinks against the tremble of the saucer. Mr Kalkowski waits, patience itself. He has heard the gossip. In fact, her old teacher has a very good idea of what she wants to say.