Promises in Pompeii by Violet Morley

Author:Violet Morley [Morley, Violet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-28T21:00:00+00:00

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Tullia couldn’t believe the luck. Salvus had talked just that morning about taking on an apprentice. He was getting too old to continue much longer and wanted to pass on his knowledge. Then, wanting to watch him leave from the port, she’d come to her solitude boulder only to find a strapping young man wanting work.

The action felt foreign as she found a tentative smile stretch across her face. After Martina was killed, Tullia had found it hard to find joy in anything.

She could see the young man was fidgeting. Tullia realized she’d been stuck in her mind. Years of solitude seemed to have eroded her manners.

“As a matter of fact, my husband was talking about taking on an apprentice. Have you ever fished before?” The awed look on his face seemed to indicate he’d never witnessed the sea before, but it mattered little. Before Salvus, Tullia hadn’t set foot on a boat, and she had picked up a few things.

Felix tugged on his ear. “No, but I’m a fast learner and have been working since I was young. I’m strong and will do whatever it takes to make sure your husband is not disappointed.”

What a strange fellow, talking about strength. She watched the muscles ripple in his forearms as he ate a fig.

“Let me see your hands,” she said.

With furrowed brows, he leaned over with his palms up. Luna stuck her nose against his palm, looking for treats. When she found none, she lay her head down.

“You can tell a lot about a person from their hands.”

She traced an old scar on the palm. Felix seemed to tremble at the touch. Odd. His hands were well worn with hard work. Satisfied, she nodded. He took his hands back, holding them close to his face, looking at them front to back.

“My husband Salvus will be out for a few days. You’ll come over for dinner in two days, and we’ll talk about options. First, let’s see about getting you some housing, okay?”

Tullia wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but a lone tear sliding down the proud boy’s face wasn’t one of them. If this small nicety would help him, well, she was in a place now that she could. Maybe she could pay it forward, make up for the loss of her child and friend. Yes, this could only be a good thing.

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