Page 177 of Eternal Craving
“You look so young.”
“I live well.” I strolled towards him with the air of a gentleman, a manner with which I hoped to convey I had indeed reached middle-age.
“What were you doing in that house?” he asked.
“I came looking for you.”
“And the monk?”
“He wasn’t needed.”
Jacob let out a deep sigh. “I wasn’t born in London?”
“No. You’re Spanish – we’re from Spain.”
His gaze met mine. “Tell me more.”
“My nephew sold you.” Stupid way to start. I paused for a moment, searching for the right words.
Jacob looked at me with tears in his eyes. He seemed confused.
From within my trouser pocket, I withdrew the locket. “This is yours.” I handed it over to him.
As he took it from me, his hand brushed against mine, and I trembled inwardly, relieved that he was here with me after all this time.
Jacob pried open the clasp and gazed at the renderings inside. “How did you find this?”
“My companion, Sunaria, found it.”
Jacob studied the locket. “I sold it to buy food. Didn’t want to, but I was desperately hungry. Two days later, Dr. Potts saw me begging and took me in.”
I held out my arms to him, unable to hold back my emotions any longer.
Jacob walked over and embraced me. I held him tight and everything that had once seemed important slipped away. Here, now, I found a truth like no other, and despite being in this foreign land, we were home.
He broke away. “How did you find me?”
Taking a moment, I considered my answer, unsure whether to reveal that I’d watched over him all these years, and been part of his life, when all the while he’d not even been aware of mine.
“My friend found you. I had described you to him.”
His face lit up. “I’m glad.”
I returned his smile, hoping he would remember more about the past. “Your Aunt Alicia is still in Spain.”
He nodded. “I have memories of a kind lady. Do you write to her?”
“I do, but…”I never send the letters. I worried they’d be intercepted, putting everyone at risk.
“Do I have any siblings?”
“You had an older brother, but he died.”
Jacob’s face flushed. “And my mother?”
I gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry.”
He swallowed hard, and I thought he would ask for details, but he changed the subject.
