Chapter 4 1640 AD

father's secret hiding place and dug with his hands until he found the chest. He lifted it quickly, and the first thing he did was leave something for Alice. A bag of gold left on the stool at the side of her bed. She could get out of this place and find a man worthy of her.

He took his father's cart, and the horse, hiding the chest under some hay he had loaded into the cart, drove off to Kingsfield, the town he had been to the day before. He didn't stay in the town for more than a couple of hours, it was market day, and some villagers might spot him. He bought some food and a large knife and moved on to the next town. This time he bought a new cart, with a canvas roof and some pots and a cup. He bought an extra canvas and went into the forest to cut some saplings down. Jack wanted to be self-sufficient on his way down to London. When he got there, he would look for a house with a shop front. Buying some tools would be the next thing, and then set himself up as a goldsmith. It was all he knew. He would have to go to Goldsmiths Hall and register. He had done his apprenticeship, and he was a much better goldsmith than his father. It took weeks to get to London, though for one week he stopped, and he and Silver rested in the forest, they were deep into it, and they were not disturbed. They were safe. Jack could tell if anyone was around, he would be able to smell them.

Silver ran through the forest, killed a deer to eat, and Silver lay in the sun by the river after he had washed the blood off his jaws and paws. Jack buried the remains of the deer. Killing the King's deer was a hanging offence, and Jack had an aversion to trouble with stroppy officials. He washed in the river and put his new best clothes on for his entry into London. He wanted to give a good impression. He had plans, and he intended to go far with them.

Present Day

Well, he'd done it. Four hundred years later, he still had an exclusive jewellery shop in many major cities globally, and after world war one and two, he ha branched out into construction. He had built office blocks and hotels and houses around the world. His days consisted of zoom meetings, and he spent his evenings running about the Yorkshire countryside with Silver. His only problem was the fact that he was alone. He tried not to let it bother him, his days were full, and he would like another wife. Julia was not his mate. He'd met her on his first day in London.

1640 AD

There was a queue at Aldgate, and people were getting agitated through waiting. Someone further up the column was shouting children crying. When it was his turn, he saw what the problem was. A young girl. She was about the same age as him, and they had tied to a hook against the wall. She was struggling, trying to escape. He stopped the cart when the gatekeeper held his halberd up.

Jack knew he looked older than his years. His voice was deep, and he looked like a gentleman in his new clothes.

"What's your business?" the man growled.

"Goldsmiths Hall, I have news for them." He looked around, "What's up with her?" Jack said, pointing to the girl.

"Stealing,"

Jack nodded slowly, "What did she steal?" He said, looking at the state of her skinny arms. It was a wonder that she hadn't slipped her hands through the ropes.

"A loaf of bread," said the gatekeeper.

Jack nodded, and the man let him through the Aldgate.

Jack carried on driving for a few moments and then stopped the horse. He jumped from the cart and began to spin back towards the girl. In two seconds, the girl was in the back of the cart.

"Stay there," he said and covered her over with the straw. He could hear her crying and whimpering as they continued on the journey.

"What's your name, girl?"

"Julia," she sniffled.

"Don't worry. You are quite safe now. My name is Jack. They would have hung the poor girl for stealing a loaf of bread. She was starving. Anyone could see that.

"Do you have a family?"

"No," she said, "They're dead."

"I'm sorry, I will take care of you. You can either stay with me or go. I won't mind either way, but first, we will eat. You can't decide on an empty stomach."

Present Day

Jack smiled at the thought of Julia and her first pie shop. She was overawed by the variety and chose a meaty beef pie. It was a joy to watch her eat it. Julia stayed with Jack for a couple of years, and he was fond of her. He was sorry that she died of the plague and that they had no children.

It was getting late, and Silver wanted to roam. Silver ran over the fields and through the forest, rolling in the leaves and enjoying his freedom.

"Let's go past Saffron's house," Jack mind-linked to Silver, who trotted towards the cottage. He sat in the back garden,

"She's upset," Silver said. "I can smell her tears."

"Yes, I know, but I can hardly do anything at the moment. Saffy has no clue what we are. It will only terrify even more. "She's asleep; nothing can hurt her now. We will come back in the morning.

Jack and Silver hurried home.