Part Two is beginning soon! Whoo! I had thought it would never get here...Sooo... Look out! The romance will be introduced very soon!

Review and I'll put up Chapter Eleven (written also in Hong Kong)tonight!
I know it's blackmail but 3 reviews in nine chapters just shrivelled my ego!

Chapter Ten

The next afternoon, Frederic jumped down from one of Jean-Luc's very well appointed carriages and entered the inn to be greeted immediately by Madame Morel.

'Good-day, Madame Morel. How is our patient?'

'He is well, monsieur… He is getting impatient about resting but he is a most obedient child. He has not caused any trouble at all!' finished the innkeeper in a rather surprised tone. 'He has been asking for you, Monsieur Fournier. I think you have made an admirer there!'

Bounding up the stairs towards Erik's rooms, Frederic mentally went through how he was going to explain the proposed stay to little Erik and worried about how the child was going to take his meddling. He sighed and straightened his slight shoulders.

Knocking gently, he stepped into the room and called softly,' Enfant… It is I… Frederic Fournier… Are you awake?' He stared in surprised when the tangled bedclothes suddenly bounced upwards and tumbled unceremoniously unto the floor.

Rushing over, he started unravelling the Erik the Mummy from his make-shift bandages. After a few minutes and several yelps of pain when Frederic tugged the sheet up when it needed to go down and when it went right instead of the necessary left, the sheepish child was finally revealed.

'Are you alright? Are you hurt!'

'Non, Monsieur… I am fine.'

'Let me have a look at you anyway though!' ejaculated Frederic as he ran professional fingers over Erik's body to ascertain that there were no new hurts that he needed to tend to. Frederic brushed his slender fingers through the boy's wavy locks and gently felt for the earlier wound. 'Tres bien! You're head is much better, the bump is almost gone!'

Passing Erik a small pouch, Frederic removed a very familiar bottle from his pocket. To Erik's great disgust, Frederic proceeded to massage the ointment onto his head. Wincing, the child popped a bonbon into his mouth and ingeniously offered a piece of Frederic's bribe back to him in a vain attempt to escape the hated medicine. Frederic grinned downed at the boy and accepted the candy with his teeth, all the while keeping his massaging hands in Erik's hair.

Feeling martyred, the seven-year-old sighed and stood there with such a quietly beleaguered air that Frederic just wanted to laugh. Finishing up quickly, he made easy conversation with the child, asking him of his behaviour and convalescence.

Erik felt that this was the happiest day in his life though the ointment Monsieur Fournier was coating his head with was absolutelyhorrible! However he quickly decided that it was a small price to pay for his hero's undivided attention and nearly caressing touch. He was unused to such kindness and care, and he promised himself silently that he would be so very good that he would never lose Monsieur Fournier's benevolent regard!

A thought struck him and his heart sank! He was nearly completely healed and had no excuse to remain in the Monsieur's company. Erik felt as though he could cry… No! He must not give into tears! It was the one victory he had over those who had hurt him… He had not cried when the village boys stoned him, not a drop fell when barking dogs were set on him and he had also managed to maintain a blank expression when his beautiful maman threw the flowers he had picked for her birthday in his face. That was the last time he tried to get close to his mother. Erik finally accepted that his face made him so hideous that his mother could not bear the sight of him.

He bent his head lower, afraid that Monsieur Fournier would catch a glimpse of his mask and be reminded of his monstrous features. He had no right to expect affection, but he so wanted it! He would almost do anything and be anyone for a scrap of kindness and love. Erik's mind worked desperately as he tried to find something to say or do to keep the only person who had shown him warmth and concern in his life.

'Enfant.. Would you like to come back with me to my friend's estate for the summer?'

Erik's head snapped up when the unbelievable question broke through his thoughts and he stared uncomprehendingly at his idol. Frederic took his silence as unwillingness and quickly explained his interference in getting Erik a chance of education in England that his stay would allow him to be accomplished enough in the foreign language that he would be able to communicate with ease with his future teachers and classmates. Frederic then told him that if he could really not bear the thought of leaving his family and the village, he would talk to Erik's parents again and see if other arrangements could be made.

'I am not sure if I will like to go to England yet but I would be very happy if I could stay with you and Monsieur Jean-Luc for the summer. Perhaps if I know Anglais very well, I will be happier to go!' Erik could have jumped with glee as he realised that he could live with his idol and that he would be able to see him everyday. He could not so lucky!

'You might be right… Perhaps when you are more confident in the language you will feel more ready to face England!' Frederic smiled bracingly and ruffled the boy's hair. 'I will do my best before I go to ensure that you master basic Anglais!'

'Go where, Monsieur Fournier? When are you leaving?'

'I shall be leavingEurope at the end of summer. Probably around the same time you would, should you decide to go to England….'