Part 8
The following day after lessons, Tuck called Naomi to his desk, Simon ran out, glad to be out from the confines of the classroom.
"Naomi, you said that you could help me find Robin Hood. I need to find him and soon."
Naomi broke into a smile, and then looked serious as she replied. "But it has to be a secret."
"Yes my child I need to keep it a secret. How about we go out for an educational walk this afternoon? We can say we will be looking at plants who live through the winter, perhaps take Simon along for good measure," he added almost to himself and Naomi nodded and smiled.
It was good news for the trio that although the weather was cold it was a fine day and they made their way through the outskirts of the forest to a village.
"What are we doing here?" queried Tuck. "I don't think Robin Hood will be somewhere like this."
"This is Locksley," the child replied.
"Ah Locksley," muttered Tuck. "Robin of Locksley."
They slipped in and out of sight and wound up and the back door of the manor. Naomi not perturbed by the situation knocked at the door with a confidence she didn't usually display in such abundance. A young serving girl appeared and looked at the trio of visitors.
"We need to see Thornton," the small girl child said.
"You do? What is your business?" she asked cagily, the master was in residence and in a foul mood as usual.
"We can only speak to him, it is important," Tuck added thinking correctly his voice would carry more weight.
"I will see what I can do, try and stay out of sight."
They stood they were beginning to shiver when Thornton appeared.
"Yes?" he asked.
"We need to find Robin Hood. He told me if I …if Simon and I ever needed him or Marian to come and see you and you would make sure we saw him" she explained.
"Naomi and Simon" he said thoughtfully.
"Yes that's us," she said, jumping up and down on the spot while Simon tried to capture a mouse under the woodpile.
"Except it is me who wishes to see Robin Hood," Tuck said. "Can you tell me where I can find him?"
Thornton looked carefully at the man of the cloth in front of him. "Very well but not now…tonight meet me over there behind the church I will lead you as far as I am able."
"Thank you," Tuck said letting out his breath in relief which Thornton clearly saw.
The Friar was clearly troubled and Thornton knew that if it was in Robin's power to help the man he would.