Part 29

After what seemed like an age, the door opened and Darcy took an involuntary step back, as she came face to face with a giant of a man, in a leather waistcoat. He stood easily head and shoulders above her, with a ponytail and an enormous beard. Every, widely visible, inch of him was intricately tattooed. She told him she was looking for Bruno and he stood aside to let her in.

A fledgling might feel out of depth

So small beside Goliath’s bulk

Were not, his voice so soft and calm

Belying vision’s salient hulk.

Aware that one should not assume

Steps boldly into narrow gloom

Goliath’s name was Hugh. He pointed to a door and went back to whatever he was doing.

Darcy cautiously pushed open the indicated door and looked in. It was a bright, untidy kitchen. Bruno was stirring an enormous pot on the stove. He waved her in and held out a spoon, telling her to taste. It was a delicious stew.  At that moment, the woman Darcy had seen through the window, came in with a tray of empty dishes. She ladled some of the stew into a bowl and handed it to Darcy, motioning her to sit and eat. Darcy did so.

On closer inspection, the woman, Rosalyn, was older than originally thought, with mischievous brown eyes and long brown hair with tiny braids in it. She wore cheerfully coloured bead earrings and coloured bangles, which jingled lightly as she moved.

All fears and trepidations fade

Such ambience could not be cruel

Just maybe, fate had lent a hand

To pass it up, she’d be a fool

There, seated, in that friendly place

 Amid the warmth of life’s embrace

Darcy finished her stew and took her bowl to the vast sink, where Rosalyn was stacking dishes. Running the hot water, Darcy began washing them. It was the east she could do in return for her meal.

When she was done, Rosalyn handed her a cup of tea and they sat down with Bruno to talk.

Later, Darcy was shown a room on the second floor. There was a bed, a wooden chair and a cupboard, and there were cream curtains at the window. Rosalyn offered to lend her some bed-sheets until she could get her own. She would be given the room and board in return for working in the kitchen and serving tables. Darcy could not believe her luck! She would be sleeping in a proper bed that very night.

Excitement lifts the feet in flight

As worldly goods are fast retrieved

Make haste, in case a shadow falls

‘cross luck she’s only half believed

Hurrying back through city streets

Away from pier-side’s cruel defeats

Arriving back at the green, chipped door, Darcy gazed up in wonder at what was now her bedroom window.