Next chapter of salt in the wounds is up!

May 1933 – Hamish is getting older and it’s time he knew some things.

teaser below the cut

John walked out of Mrs. Hudson’s shop when he heard the shouting. He turned the corner just in time to see Hamish take a swing at one of the three boys surrounding him. He connected solidly and the other two jumped on him. Hamish struggled to throw them off, but the boys broke and ran when John reached them with a solid hand on their shoulders, helping the one Hamish had punched. John turned Hamish and saw tears in his eyes as he breathed heavily, wiping at his eyes.

John met his eyes. “You’re fifteen, Hamish, you don’t get into fights. Tell me what happened.”

Hamish shook his head and turned away from his father.

John took a deep breath. “Come on then, Mrs. Hudson has tea.”

Allowing himself to be led into the shop, John settled him in Mrs. Hudson’s back room, sharing a worried look with her. Once he had the boy settled, he followed Mrs. Hudson back out to the front. “I want to know what those boys said. Hamish’s never started a fight in his life.”

Mrs. Hudson glanced towards the back room. “Oh there’s always rumors.”

John narrowed his eyes. He knew he didn’t spend much time in the village, but he’d been trying to encourage Hamish to take the boat and go by himself. After all, he had to learn to deal with people. So he’d been helping out Mrs. Hudson a few times a week during the day. “You must tell me.”