Joe left the room, shutting the door carefully behind him.
He had been well and truly dismissed.
"Joe?"
A figure stood at the door of the Blacksmith's work shed. It was nearing midnight and it was a particularly cold night. The tiny voice came from that of four-year-old Pip. Barefoot , his thin dressing gown dragging across the floor, his hands clutching at the sleeves, wringing them together with his fingers.
"Pip!" Joe sprang up and was bent down in front of the tiny boys in seconds. "Pip, my lad! Get by the hearth! You'll freeze!"
Joe did not wait for Pip to move but instead scooped him up in his arms. He sat on the chair next to the hearth, putting Pip carefully onto his knee. The little boy was shaking.
"Another bad dream, Pip?"
The boy nodded.
"C'mere"
The young boy flung his arms around Joe, burying his face into Joe's overalls. His breathing becoming calmer as he felt Joe's strong heartbeat. Joe gently stroked Pip's hair.
"Was jus' a dream Pip. Only a dream."
Maybe Pip would come out in a second. Change his mind. Joe slowed down his walk slightly.
"Joe?"
Joe glanced up at the eight year old. His chin shook and he was clutching his arm. Joe knew immediately what had occurred.
"Oh, no, Pip. Tickler?"
The boy nodded. Tears that he had tried so bravely to fight began to fall fast and frequently.
Joe offered open his arms and Pip ran into them.
"Why does she hurt me so, Joe?"
Joe felt his throat tighten.
"I can't say I know, Pip, old son….wish I did."
"I love you Joe."
He held the boy tighter.
"'Ever the best of friends, Pip. Don't you forget that."
Joe thought he heard the door click. He turned back round hoping to see the face that he knew so well staring back. Yet the door stayed firmly and cruelly shut.
"Joe?"
Joe wasn't surprised to see Pip standing so late in the doorway. The eleven-year-old had been visiting him more frequently than ever these past few nights. He had been acting strangely of late. The young boy seemed to either sleep or stay fixed at Joe's side. Joe sometimes caught him gazing out the door onto the moor, his eyes darting occasionally from side to side, the same worried expression on his face.
"You want to stay with me tonight again, Pip? Should warn you now though, I'm goin' t' be here mos' the night. Lot of work t' do."
Pip nodded eagerly, sitting himself at Joe's feet.
Joe shook his head affectionately, knowing that the boy would, indeed, stay with him all night.
Joe hesitated when he got to the end of the corridor. He tried to feel some anger but felt nothing but sadness- and a love for the young boy that would never leave him. Next time Pip called his name, he would be waiting.