Sweep by Jonathan Auxier

Author:Jonathan Auxier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

PART TWO

EXPERIENCE

THE BESPOKE MAN

“I was wondering if I would see you again.”

Miss Bloom slid open the frosty dormer window for Nan to enter. “It’s dreadful out there. Haven’t you any boots?”

Nan dropped to the floor and wiped the slush from her feet. “Not sure I’ve use for them.” She breathed into her fist. “Boots and rooftops don’t mix. I prefer cold toes to a broken neck.” She had been avoiding the library ever since she had tossed Songs of Innocence into the fire. She had regretted burning the book immediately and had even tried visiting some bookstalls to buy a replacement. She was afraid of making Miss Bloom upset, but she also knew she needed to return. There were things she still needed to know about Charlie.

If Miss Bloom remembered the book, she chose not to mention it. “Warm yourself by the fire.” She indicated a seat opposite the hearth. “I seem to have brought up more cakes than I can eat. It would be a kindness if you finished what was left.”

The cakes looked as if they hadn’t been touched. Nan wondered if Miss Bloom had actually set them out for her specifically. She noticed that the chair had a blanket laid over its back to protect it from soot. “Thank you, ma’am.” She tried a cake, which tasted of anise and ginger.

“Cakes are the least I can give in return for the handsome menorah you left on my bed stand.” The woman smiled. “That was you, wasn’t it?”

Nan bowed her head and concentrated on her cake. Now that she took regular baths, it was much easier to catch her in a blush. “Did you like it?”

“I did.” Miss Bloom folded her hands. “It made me think of holidays past.” Her gaze settled on the crackling fire. “It made me think of home.”

Nan settled herself deeper into the chair. Her feet barely touched the floor. “Is home very far away?” She thought she could detect a hint of accent in Miss Bloom’s voice.

The woman shook her head. “I was born on Brick Lane.”

“In Spitalfields?” Nan wrinkled her nose. “That’s hardly an hour’s walk from here.”

“It is not far. And yet . . . it is a world apart. My family is quite traditional. They live by different rules than their gentile neighbors.” Miss Bloom gave an apologetic smile. “The last time I saw my parents, I was scarcely older than yourself. I fear they would not recognize me today. Neither would they welcome one who has strayed so far from their ways.” Her smile tightened into a wince. “But I think you did not come here to interrogate me about my history.”

This was true. Ever since talking to Toby on New Year’s, Nan had felt a growing urgency to understand what Charlie was—and why the Sweep had left him with her. If she could discover his purpose, perhaps she could avoid fulfilling it. “The first time you found me up here,” Nan said, “do you remember our conversation?”

“How could I not?” she said.

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