The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez

‘Thomas is also very busy,’ said Sir Francis. ‘Although the late conspirators have been dealt with, there is still much activity in France and Spain, which causes us concern. He misses your assistance.’

‘Sir,’ I said, ‘if you are about to offer me further employment here, I will save you time and trouble, and say that I ca

My heart was beating very fast as I defied one of the most powerful man in the land, but I was relieved to see that he was not angry. I think perhaps he expected my answer, though he sighed.

‘Very well, Kit. I promised Thomas that I would ask you, but I see that you are determined not to be persuaded.’

We both rose.

‘However,’ he said, and my mouth went dry, dreading what he might say next, ‘if another crisis should arise and we should be in serious need of your assistance, might you be willing to return?’

‘If that should happen, and my work at the hospital is not too heavy,’ I said, smiling at him, ‘I might be able to help. For a short time.’

On my own terms, I thought. Without the threat of Poley.

We both bowed. At the door I turned back.

‘Please wish Master Phelippes God speed for the new year,’ I said. ‘And Arthur Gregory and Thomas Cassie. And of course Nicholas Berden and Master Mylles.’

He was smiling broadly now as well. I think we understood each other. ‘I will do so,’ he said gravely.

As I went down the back stairs, perhaps for the last time, I realised unexpectedly that I would miss them all. And I would miss Hector. And I would miss the excitement of deciphering an unknown intercepted letter or a report smuggled out of Paris. Was Gifford still there, spying on the Duke of Guise? With an angry shake of my head, I dismissed these thoughts. I was well rid of them all.

As I came out into Seething Lane, where the first flurries of snow were begi

‘Simon? What are you doing here?’

‘I called at your house and Joan said Sir Francis had sent for you. Are you going to work for him again?’

‘He wanted me to, but I refused.’

Simon let out his breath in a puff of misty air and gri

‘Yes. Yes, I did.’

I still felt a little light-headed about it, but my heart gave a leap for pure joy. I was free! Free, above all, of Robert Poley.

He gave a soft whistle. ‘I’m not sure I would have dared.’

‘I wasn’t sure I would, until I did it.’ I gulped, and gri

We both laughed.

‘By Jesu,’ he said. ‘It’s cold out here. And this snow is going down my neck.’

He linked his arm in mine. ‘Is there an i

This was an exaggeration, for I had not been with Sir Francis for half an hour.

‘This way,’ I said. ‘It’s small, but they also serve very good pies.’

We began to make our way along the street, holding each other up as we slithered on the icy cobbles.

‘Oh, have you heard?’ Simon said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the Tower.

‘You know how Guy always has the latest gossip? He came to the playhouse today, full of news about someone you know.’

I stopped dead and turned towards him. A great gust of wind flung a cloud of frozen snow in my face, like a fistful of bitter sand.

‘What? Who?’

‘You remember – there was one man escaped out of the bloody conspiracy to murder the Queen? No one knew, yea or nay, whether he was a villain or not?’

‘Who?’ I said it again, though my voice was whipped away on the wind. My heart had stopped in my chest.

‘Robert Poley. He’s to be set free from the Tower.’

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