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The workshop was so far removed from Van Loo’s room in Ghent it was like another world entirely. The lodgings for the apprentices were as good as the ones Van Loo shared with his wife and family. Tidier and cleaner, two sweeping brushes, a pail for water, mattresses held on shelves on the wall so that the dust from daily toil didn’t cling to them.
Roger was inside and scowled at him as he entered.
‘Adam! Cedric! Find somewhere to put this creature and be quick about it. If he’s not at work by the time I get back, I’ll dock you both a day’s pay and kick your arses for good measure. Get to it.’
Adam made a crude gesture at the door Roger slammed behind himself.
‘Just like before, eh?’ Adam said.
It was very like before, even down to the items held on the large table in the centre of the room, which he had seen before in another life. The colours were beautiful, golden and red and luscious. He saw the weaving of Mathys and the stitching of Vincent in every cut of fibre.
‘Well, look at you. Very fancy!’ Adam grinned. ‘But for the love of St Ann take that ridiculous cap off.’
Rafi patted the velvet and pretended to consider. ‘No.’
‘You are becoming vain. And it makes you look like a juggler.’
‘And what sort of juggler wears a velvet cap like this?’
‘A bad one.’
‘This is indeed fancy.’ The young apprentice, Cedric, walked around Rafi, appraising all angles. ‘And what is this? A new badge?’ He patted Rafi’s doublet. ‘Well.’ He sucked the breath between his teeth. ‘This is new livery. Well stitched.’
‘How about you finish with that yellow dress that is still sitting there doing nothing of any merit?’
Adam pointed over Cedric’s shoulder at the fabric on the table.
Cedric tutted. ‘It belongs to the mistress and I do not know how to do it justice. I need to think carefully. It is quality.’
‘You could get twenty hats out of that. Good ones.’
‘Don’t be so foolish.’ Cedric snorted.
‘It is wonderful.’ Rafi stroked it.
‘It is indeed fine!’ Cedric batted Rafi’s hand away. ‘So kindly leave it alone. It is as well I unpicked the pearls from the neck before that brute over there spent them in the Hellhole.’
Rafi and Adam exchanged glances while Cedric went back to the door Roger had slammed shut. It opened onto the shopfront where Cedric could keep an eye on passing custom. ‘Don’t let him make you do all his work,’ he said, taking the dress with him into the shop.
Adam nodded at Rafi. ‘He is easy to tease but in fairness, he is a genius with a bodkin.’
Adam checked that the door was closed behind Cedric, then the latch on the door to the yard outside. He pulled at the window shutters, fixing and unfixing the clasp several times. When he had finally satisfied himself that the room was secure he pushed Rafi into the corner, as far away from any entrances as possible.
They were surrounded by boxes and crates, ells of broadcloth, chalon blankets folded and stacked on top of each other. Adam paced to and fro, biting on his lip so hard that he drew blood. What had happened since Cedric had left the room? This sour mood was very sudden.
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