I shut myself in my room and tried to block out what I had just seen. Unfortunately, the image was burned into my brain. After a few minutes my mother knocked on the door and came in to speak to me.

  Indira: “Dwynfel, you seem upset.”

  Dwynfel: “You think? I wonder why that might be…”

  Indira: “Don’t be so dramatic, Dwyn. In the poorer parts of town, children share beds with their parents, and their parents still have sex. So, you are hardly hard done by here. You walked in on your mother having sex, it’s not the end of the world, most kids have done it at some point.”

  Dwynfel: “Not on the kitchen table! I eat there! And what about dad?”

  Oh gods… please stop talking to me… you’re making it worse.

  Indira: “He’s been dead for over seven years, Dwyn. I loved him and I still love him. But he wouldn’t want me to spend the rest of my life alone.”

  Dwynfel: “But come on… Lucas? Really? He’s half your age.”

  Indira: “I know, isn’t it great.”

  Dwynfel: “No! I don’t want to come home to see his pale arse bouncing up and down on top of you… on the table… where I eat!”

  Indira: “We thought you’d be gone longer.”

  Dwynfel: “Oh well, I guess that makes it alright then.”

  My mother sighed… she had clearly been planning on breaking this to me a little more gently. I don’t want my mum seeing other people. She’s my mum… I can’t see her with anyone but my dad. I know what she’s saying is right… but I still don’t want it to happen. She’s entitled to do these things… but it feels wrong… this was his house too… he used to eat dinner with us at that table… he used to write his diary in the study… he used to sleep in the bed with her in the room next door to mine.

  I don’t want another man doing those things. Especially one that isn’t much older than I am. Derek would have been bad enough… but I might have been able to get past it… but Lucas… really… Lucas… I think I feel sick.

  Indira: “Listen, Dwynfel. You were gone. You were gone for two months. They said you disappeared after you saved Lady Katheryn. People don’t visit this farm, Dwynfel. Derek comes round to work… then he leaves. The builders came to make the modifications to the house. But they just worked and left. Then Lucas started coming round.”

  She paused and smiled to herself, as though recalling something fondly.

  Indira: “Admittedly, he came round as part of his job. He was to make sure I was safe until your return. He didn’t need to help with the farm; he didn’t need to talk to me. He could have just stood guard all day. He helped. He helped me. He talked to me about things other than farm work. He showed an interest in me. He stopped me feeling alone. He didn’t need to come back today. His job here is over. He could have just moved on to any other woman that crossed his path, and let’s face it, he wouldn’t have much difficulty finding one. But he didn’t. He came here, to help me, to see me. Even if this does turn out to be a brief thing in the end. It’s what I need right now. So please understand.”

  At that moment Lucas walked in holding two cups of tea. He was still completely naked. Looking as irritatingly handsome as ever.

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  Lucas: “Thought you might be in need of some tea. Soothes the soul, you know.”

  He placed one cup on my bedside table, handed the other to my mum and left my room. After he left, he shouted through from the kitchen.

  Lucas: “Do speak up if you require anything further!”

  Indira: “See, he’s nice.”

  Dwynfel: “I get it mum… I do… I just… I miss dad… I can’t imagine you with anybody but dad. I’m sorry for being awkward. I’ll be civil with him… I promise… but… could you please keep that kinda stuff in the bedroom. And if he is going to be bringing me tea, can he please put some pants on first… his penis is head height for me.”

  She laughed slightly.

  Indira: “Fair enough. Thank you for understanding, Dwyn.”

  Well, that was… unpleasant. At that point, I decided it would be wise to start getting ready for the ball tonight. I went out and brought Tadwick inside… his hair was a bit messy but still reasonable. One good thing about Lucas being here was that he could fix it quickly. I have to say… I am not as fan of this suit. Do they have to be so tight around the neck? I had no idea what the fuck to do with the bow ties. So, my mother tied both of our bowties for us.

  Indira: “Well don’t you two just look adorable in your little matching outfits.”

  My mother smiled at us… she looked so happy I thought she might burst into tears at any moment.

  Dwynfel: “Mum… please don’t… I’m not cute… I am a grown man.”

  Indira: “You’ll always be my baby, Dwyn. I wish I could preserve this image somehow.”

  Dwynfel: “Yeah, well, we don’t have time to hire someone to do an oil painting right now… the carriage will be here any minute.”

  Lucas: “Well, in my opinion, you look like very dapper young gents. I have confidence you shall turn many an eye at the ball.”

  Indira: “Because you’re so adorable.”

  Dwynfel: “Damn it, Mum… stop that.”

  Indira: “Do I get a kiss from you handsome young men before you leave?”

  She bent down and kissed Tadwick on the cheek. He kissed her back and gave her a big hug. She leaned towards me and kissed my cheek. She then tapped her cheek with her finger whilst making a silly face.

  Dwynfel: “Are you just trying to embarrass me? You have literally never done this before.”

  Indira: “I’m just enjoying having you back, dear.”

  She grabbed me and gave me a big cuddle. Normally this kind of thing would be a pleasant and comforting experience… however… I am incredibly aware of the fact that Damecus and Nomius are stood next to us… not to mention Lucas… I swear she is embarrassing me on purpose right now.

  Nomius: (Signing) “You… look… good. Enjoy… night.”

  Tadwick: “Fank you. Can you come?”

  Nomius: “(Signing) “No… I wait… here.”

  Tadwick: “Why? Wasn’t he invited?”

  Dwynfel: “He wasn’t there when we saved Lady Katheryn. That’s why it is only us.”

  Tadwick: “Lucas is coming.”

  Dwynfel: “Are you?”

  Lucas: “I am on guard duty this evening. Hence my day of leisure at this fine establishment.”

  Tadwick looked confused and whispered to me.

  Tadwick: “What’s he sayin’?”

  Dwynfel: “He had the day off work because he’s working tonight.”

  Tadwick: “He talks funny.”

  Dwynfel: “I know.”

  Fortunately, the coach then arrived and we were off to the ball. I am genuinely dreading this. I hate being surrounded by people that I don’t know. Especially as I don’t have my cowl anymore. Fuck… I have no way of hiding now. Maybe I can distract them with Tadwick. People like children… right.