The Apothecary’s Apprentice 30
The Apothecary's Apprentice
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- 1. The Apothecary’s Apprentice 30
“MOTHER, is there any word yet?”
It was the day of Thomas’s appearance before the herb gatherers’ council.
Anxious for news, Jennet seized her chance while her master was absent and, asking her grandmother to keep an eye on the unguarded shop, she ran upstairs to the kitchen in the hope of finding out.
Alice Parry broke off from weighing out flour and yeast for manchet bread, shaking her head.
“Not a whisper. Whether that is to the good or otherwise, I cannot say.
“We must put our faith in God that those calling Thomas to order will see that he is an honest and trustworthy young man.”
Ned, now sufficiently recovered to be sitting in a carved ladder-backed armchair, his crutches beside him, shot Jennet a look of sympathy.
“Bear up, lass. An official hearing is a lengthy process.
“Those in control will consider every detail and then call a recess to review the details. ’Twill take time to reach a conclusion.”
“But there are few details to consider,” Jennet replied, concern in her voice.
“The evidence does not look promising for Thomas.
“He did provide apothecary needs for a handful of customers. Grandmother was one.”
“But he did not accept payment for it. We can vouch for that,” Ned replied.
“I tried, Father, but I was turned away. Grandmother did the same. They would not listen to either of us.”
“Your grandmother should not be tramping across the heath in her state of health,” Alice cut in, brushing her hand across her forehead and leaving a smudge of flour.
She added water to the mix and began stirring it into dough.
“How does she today?” she added.
“About the same,” Jennet replied. “I’ve persuaded her to sit down whenever possible.
“She does not need to be on her feet so much in the stillroom.”
“She is distressed over this matter with Thomas,” Ned remarked.
“We all are. Though I’m blessed if I can see anything coming of it.
“Thomas Tewke flouting the rules? Never! And why the sudden haste to call him to account, I ask you?”
Once all three other branches of herb gatherers had made the journey to Nantwich, the council had lost no time in summoning Thomas before them.
Ned continued.
“Thomas put the date of the hearing at the end of August, and here we are barely into the third week.
“It gave him little time to look into who his accuser might be.”
“I know,” Jennet agreed dismally. “I expect they wanted to get it over and done with.”
“Think of me,” Thomas had requested the previous evening, as she was wishing him well on the fringe of the heath.
“I will,” she’d promised.
She had spoken with not a smidgen of doubt. Thomas was rarely out of her thoughts of late.
Wasn’t Thomas her childhood friend and lifelong devotee? How could she not support him in his hour of need?
Now, the continued silence was harrowing, and Jennet sighed.
“It must be getting on for midday. Surely someone will think to tell us what is happening?”
Downstairs, the banging of the shop door and jangle of the bell indicated a call for attention.
“That could be the master! I must go. Any news, you will let me know?”
She fled, her mother’s assurances ringing in her ears.
In the shop, Henry Gryce was hanging his tall black hat on the peg on the wall next to the display shelves.
He turned as the rustle of Jennet’s skirts betrayed her presence.
Far from chastening her for leaving the shop unattended, he looked at her searchingly.
“Why, Jennet. You appear to be troubled.”
“I am. My friend Thomas Tewke is in dire straits and through no fault of his own. I am anxious for him.”
With Thomas known to all those in the apothecary and grocery trades, it came as no surprise when Gryce nodded.
“He is accused of illicit peddling of goods, and today is the official hearing,” he replied. “That is where I have just been.”
“Have you?” Jennet’s eyes widened. “Sir, is there any news as yet? Did you speak with Thomas?”
Henry put out a hand to halt the flow of questions.
“No. The Tewke couple took him to their pitch as soon as the council adjourned for a noontide repast.
“I did have a word with a senior member of the league. I fear he did not hold out much hope for young Tewke’s chances.”
“Oh!”
“’Twill be a bad day for young Tewke if all goes awry. Whoever is responsible for the trouble appears to have made a thorough fist of it.
“My guess is that money has changed hands.”
Jennet was shocked.
“But that’s fraudulent!” she cried.
“Aye.” Henry nodded. “You are well informed, Jennet, for a product of the back streets.”
“Coming from Queen Street does not necessarily make a person ignorant, sir,” Jennet replied in quick defence of her origins.
“I meant no offence. In fact, fraud can be skilfully cloaked.
“Happen this is the case here. There could even be an informer within the ranks.”
Jennet’s hopes sank.
“You are saying that someone has gone to great lengths to do Thomas harm?”
“It could be so. By sundown the outcome will be revealed.”
“Please God it will be in Thomas’s favour,” Jennet declared.
To be continued…
