Kid Gloves by Anna Martin

merchant who makes replacement limbs. You see, this merchant has cause to expand his business into that of rehabilitation, an area where he sorely lacks experience.
    There is a place for you here, Finn, as my partner, if you want it.
    London is sweating under an increasingly warm summer and I cannot say that it is a pleasant experience. News of my business seems to be spreading over the country—I today received a lady from Scotland who had made several days’ travel to come and see me for an arm, not unlike your own. This lady requires a replacement almost to her shoulder, though, after hers was lost in an accident. I have not asked how. It seemed impertinent.
    I have had cause to return to the doctor who first recommended my corsetiere. The pain in my back has increased in recent months, the result, the doctor has assured me, of a lack of movement. I am to leave the shop more often, to take longer walks around our fine city. I was forced to admit that I leave the shop so rarely now, having employed a young boy to collect the money owed to me by various people.
    Tonight come nightfall I intend to take a lap around Victoria Park. I hope it might lift my spirits as well as alleviate some of the pain.
    I wonder if when I look up at the moon tonight you will be looking in the same direction? If both our gazes will be trained to the same place at the same time, almost as if we were looking towards each other. Maybe I will imagine that you are looking up at the same time as I, and maybe that will ease some of the pain in my heart.
    Always, your Dalton.
     
     
    D ALTON ,
    I train my eyes to the moon every night. Even when it is cloudy and overcast or raining I look in that direction, hoping you might see me reflected in the cool light. My heart hurts for you, too.
    I hope that your back is recovering—the doctor is right, you should take plenty of exercise. It is good for the soul, as well as our earthly bodies. That’s what Tennessee tells us, anyway.
    Tennessee offered me an examination, to see if my body had been injured by yours. I told him that we are not intimate in that way. He seemed a little surprised at first, then nodded as if it made sense. Have you had relations with him before, Dalton? I won’t be upset if you have, I am merely curious.
    The offer from the merchant took me by surprise, I will admit. It was not a position that I ever thought would be available to me, but I do believe it will be a good fit for us both. I accept your offer, Mr Dalton, and hope that we may negotiate the finer terms when I return to London.
    I will admit that I ache for home more than ever. We are further away from England than I have ever been before. It is a source of continuous distress for me, each mile that we travel takes me further from you. But that is to change, soon, we have received word from the commander that our return journey has now been scheduled. I have not been given any more information than that, but please be assured that as soon as I have been given my leave I will not stop to rest until I am home.
    Anxiously yours,
    Finn
     
     
     
     
    M Y F INN ,
    Firstly, no. Tennessee and I have never had an intimate relationship. We are friends, nothing more, I assure you.
    I have taken to walking around the park twice a day, once after I have taken my lunch and again in the evening. It seems to be improving and you were right—the combination of fresh air and exercise has lifted my spirits as well as helping with the pain.
    Knowing that you are so very far away is a constant worry, as is the fact that you could, at any time, be in danger. My greatest fear is that I might never be able to speak the words to you that are in my heart…. I want to be to you like a husband is to a wife, Finn, and like a wife is to a husband. I want to protect you and keep you safe, and keep a home for us both. We can be both of those things to each other, both husband and wife, let no one tell you any different.
    Have I written too much, I