The Blood List by Sarah Naughton Page A

man’s goods to sell on, but Henry changed his mind at the last minute, muttering that
he didn’t think his wife would approve. By the time they left the inn it was gone four o’clock.
    The market had gone and some men were erecting a scaffold in the middle of the square.
    The cart driver was not pleased and grumbled that the Beltane to Grimston road was notorious for robberies after dark. The breakneck speed he employed to avoid such a fate brought
Barnaby’s nausea rushing back and the first thing he did when they arrived home was stumble out to the kitchen for a cold drink, leaving his father to crow to Frances about how Barnaby had
bought a gift for one of the village girls.
    Juliet was sitting at the kitchen table crying over a pile of linen.
    ‘What’s the matter?’ he said. ‘Has something happened?’
    She wiped her face on her apron and picked up one of the shirts.
    ‘Look at this!’
    ‘What?’ he said. ‘They look perfect. Much better than usual in fact.’
    ‘Exactly,’ she said, her voice trembling. ‘
She
did them.’
    ‘Who? The Waters girl?’
    Juliet nodded miserably.
    Barnaby glanced behind him. He was pretty sure he had passed Naomi setting the fire in the room beyond while his parents discussed which of the village girls might be the intended recipient of
the gift.
    ‘She’s nothing compared to you, Jules,’ he said quietly, taking her hand. ‘We couldn’t live without you.’
    ‘Nonsense!’ Juliet snapped tearfully. ‘She seems to be better than me at everything, and able to accomplish it twice as fast. When your mother realises, what reason will she
have to keep me on?’
    He sat down beside her and leaned across the table. ‘Now, let’s see . . .’ He began counting on his hand. ‘Your jam tarts are the best in the county. The chickens love
you. You never complain. And you have very pretty hands,’ he took them in his, ‘which is more than can be said for
her
.’
    As he jerked his head towards the doorway he thought he caught some movement but Juliet was weeping into her handkerchief again.
    ‘Listen. I brought you a present from Grimston.’
    Sniffing, she looked up from her handkerchief and he dangled the ribbon he’d bought for Flora before her red eyes. The leaping silver hare caught the evening sunlight and the reflections
danced on her face.
    ‘See how nice the colour looks against your hair.’
    Juliet smiled but her hand stopped in the act of taking it and her eyes went to the doorway.
    Naomi was standing there with the empty wood basket. She must have heard his parents discussing the gift and would know it had never been intended for Juliet. She would get back at them both by
announcing it.
    But she didn’t.
    ‘What a pretty thing,’ she said softly. ‘Shall I help you tie it?’
    Juliet hesitated, then nodded.
    Naomi set the basket down and came over. He held the ribbon out to her without meeting her gaze and she took it. Her cheek was pale and there was a flush on her neck. Had she heard what he
said?
    ‘You are so lucky to have such silky hair,’ Naomi said as she tied the ribbon in a careful bow. ‘Mine coils like pigs’ tails.’
    That night in bed Barnaby heard the girls giggling together down in the kitchen. He wasn’t sure that he liked it.
    On Sunday they all went to church. Although she’d never needed assistance in the past, Frances took Naomi’s arm at the door and asked her to help her to her seat.
Passing the Slabbers, Barnaby heard mutterings and Mistress Slabber even made the sign of the evil eye with her fingers. He held back so as not to be associated with Naomi and managed to catch
Flora’s eye. She blushed and smiled and he fervently wished he hadn’t given away the ribbon.
    As he sat down he heard Abel’s nasal whine from the other end of the pew: ‘What is that dreadful daubing, Mother? Father Nicholas should not have allowed the walls to have been so
besmirched.’
    ‘Actually, I think it’s beautiful,’ Naomi