They shook across the table. Aldred held Leo’s hand in both of his, just for a moment, then let go. He had great affection for Leo but, he now realized, he had lost all desire for physical intimacy with him. He experienced the same surge of fondness that he sometimesfelt for old Tatwine the scribe, or poor blind Cuthbert, or Mother Agatha, but none of that formerly irresistible yearning to touch body to body, skin to skin.
“Draw up a stool,” said Leo. “Can I give you a cup of wine?”
“I’d prefer a tankard of ale,” said Aldred. “The weaker, the better.”
Leo went into his storeroom and returned with a large wooden mug of a dark brew.
Aldred drank thirstily. “It’s been a long and dusty road.”
“And dangerous, if you encounter the Vikings.”
“I took a northerly route. The fighting is in the south, I believe.”
“What brings you here after all these years?”
Aldred told him the story. Leo already knew about the forgery—everybody knew about it—but he was not fully aware of Wynstan’s campaign of revenge against Aldred. As Aldred talked, Leo relaxed, no doubt feeling reassured that Aldred had no wish to resume their affair.
“We certainly have more old bones than we need,” Leo said when Aldred finished. “Whether Theodric will be willing to part with any of them is another question.”
Leo was now almost completely amiable—but not quite. He was holding something back, perhaps guarding a secret. So be it, thought Aldred; I don’t need to know everything about his life now, as long as he’s on my side.
Aldred said: “Theodric was a grumpy old stick-in-the-mud while I was here. He seemed to resent young people particularly.”
“And he’s got worse. But let’s go and see him now, before Nones. He’ll be in a relatively good mood after his dinner.”
Aldred was pleased: Leo had become an ally.
Leo stood up, but as he did so, another monk appeared, enteringand speaking at the same time. He was about ten years younger than Aldred and Leo, and handsome, with dark eyebrows and full lips. “They’re charging us for four wheels of cheese, but they’ve only sent three,” said the newcomer, then he saw Aldred. “Oh!” he said, and his eyebrows went up. “Who’s this?” He walked around the table and stood beside Leo.
Leo said: “This is my assistant, Pendred.”
Aldred said: “I’m Aldred, prior of Dreng’s Ferry.”
Leo explained: “Aldred and I were novices together here.”
Aldred knew immediately, just by the way Pendred stood close to Leo, and by the hint of nervousness in Leo’s voice, that they were intimate friends—how intimate, he could not tell and did not want to know.
No doubt this was the secret Leo had been hoping to hide.
Aldred felt that Pendred might be dangerous. He could become jealous and try to discourage Leo from helping. Aldred needed urgently to show that he was no threat. He gave a frank look and said: “I’m glad to meet you, Pendred.” He spoke in a serious voice so that Pendred would know this was not mere courtesy.
Leo said: “Aldred and I used to be great friends.”
Aldred immediately said: “But that was a long time ago.”
Pendred nodded slowly, three times, then said: “I’m pleased to meet you, Brother Aldred.”
He had got the message, and Aldred felt relieved.
Leo said: “I’m going to take Aldred to see Theodric. Give the dairy the price of three cheeses and say we’ll pay for the fourth when we get it.” He led Aldred out.
One ally confirmed, Aldred thought, and a potential opponent neutralized: so far, so good.
As they crossed the grounds Aldred caught sight of the canal and said: “Does the channel run through clay all the way?”
“Almost,” said Leo. “Just at this end the ground is a bit sandy. It has to be lined with puddled clay, and the banks are braced—the technical term is ‘revetted’—with planks. I know that because I ordered the timber last time it was renewed. Why do you ask?”
“A builder called Edgar has been interrogating me about the Glastonbury canal, because he’s digging one at Outhenham. He’s a brilliant young man, but he’s never attempted a canal.”
