Chapter 5:Gray
Jack brought out his list and decisively crossed through another of the items. He then leaned back in his chair; his hands clasped behind his head and gazed at it with satisfaction. Two down, four more to go. Pushing himself to his feet he crossed over to the kitchen where a large pot of vegetable stew simmered on the stove. He helped himself to a large bowl and a heel of brown bread. After he'd eaten these he went out and completed the chore around the farm, Truffles skipping along at his heels. As the dusk fell and all was cleared away Jack stood looking up towards the waterfall, shielding his eyes he gazed up at the stars splendid and remote in the velveteen sky. Like Karen, he thought to himself and, with a shake of his head, he went back inside. Once there he began searching the large armoire that stood on the back wall of the farmhouse until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a small vintage notebook and then sat down at the table. It was a beautiful old book that he'd picked up at a sale in the city with no real idea of what he would use it for. Covered in faded brown calfskin it was delicately tooled with tiny gold leaves. Opening it he fingered the heavy cream pages before he began to write in a pleasing sepia script. It took him most of the evening as he wasn't used to such writing but in the early hours of the morning, after much pacing and several cups of coffee, he was finished. Closing the book he took two headache tablets and fell into bed.
It was difficult waking up the following morning, his eyes felt like sandpaper and the farms jobs seemed to go on forever. Jack kept telling himself it would all be worth it in the long run .In the afternoon he packed the notebook in his rucksack and went off to the blacksmiths. He knew Saibara would be away from the forge but that was all to the good because the person he had come to see was his grandson. Gray answered the bell when Jack rang for service.
"Hi," Gray welcomed him. "Sorry but we're not open for business at the moment, grandfather's not here."
"Oh, that doesn't matter," Jack, replied. "I just brought this ore," he brought out a piece of sharp, white crystalline rock, "and these," he added four perfect peridots. "I'd like Saibara to make a pair of earrings for me."
"I'm sure that'll be no problem," Gray answered after a slight hesitation. Jack knew that Gray was still very wary of his grandfather's temper.
"I'd like them before the Cooking festival, Jack continued. "I plan to give them to Karen as a thank you for going to the Goddess festival with me. Are you planning to give anything to Mary?"
"Oh, I'd love to, " Gray muttered, "But I just can't think of anything."
"I'm sure she'd love anything you gave her." Jack assured him but Gray shook his head.
"No, I know Mary wouldn't say but I want to give her something really special, something to show her just how serious I am about her." Gray stressed. "It has to be just right."
"You know," Jack hesitated, "I just might have something with me that she'd like."
"What?"
Jack went into his rucksack and drew out the vintage notebook. Gray reached for it with tentative fingers and stroked the beautiful cover.
"Wow! That's just so classy looking." Gray exclaimed.
"It's a romance, handwritten. I found it at a country house sale," Jack explained. "I'm sure Mary would love this. It's yours if you want it."
"I couldn't afford this," Gray said regretfully, pushing the small notebook back.
"As for that, Jack said, "I think we can come to some sort of arrangement. There's a little favour I need doing."
"Explain," Gray asked and listened carefully as Jack went over his plan. At the end of the story Gray was thoughtful but smiling.
"Do you think I can do it? Do you really think I can persuade Mary?"
"Definitely," Jack assured him "and what's more she'll love you for it."
"It's a deal the," Gray agreed accepting the book and shaking Jack's hand "and good luck."
As Jack left the forge he took a small leap and punched the air, much to Rick's surprise who was passing.
"Three down, two to go," he cried.