Tiserra set the cup down and moved directly in front of him. ‘Husband.’
‘Yes?’
‘You’re trying too hard.’
‘I am? Well, it’s like a dream, you see, being able to come back home. Do all these things for you, for us. It still doesn’t feel real.’
‘Oh, that’s not the problem,’ she said. ‘You are already getting bored, Torvald Nom. You need more than just tagging along at my side. And the coin won’t last for ever-Beru knows I don’t make enough for the both of us.’
‘You’re saying I need to get a job.’
‘I will tell you a secret-just one, and keep in mind what I said earlier: we women have many secrets. I’m feeling generous today, so listen well. A woman is well pleased with a mate. He is her island, if you will, solid, secure. But sometimes she likes to swim offshore, out a way, floating facing the sun if you will. And she might even dive from sight, down to collect pretty shells and the like. And when she’s done, why, she’ll swim back to the island. The point is, husband, she doesn’t want her mate’s company when swimming. She needs only to know the island waits there.’
Torvald blinked, then frowned. ‘You’re telling me to get lost.’
‘Leave me my traipsing through the market, darling. No doubt you have manly tasks to pursue, perhaps at a nearby tavern. I’ll see you at home this evening.’
‘If that’s how you want it, then of course I will leave you to it, sweetness-and yes, I could do with a wander. A man has secrets, too!’
‘Indeed.’ And she smiled. ‘Provided they’re not the kind that, if I find out, I will have to hunt you down and kill you.’
He blanched. ‘No, of course not! Nothing like that!’
‘Good. See you later, then.’
And, being a brave man, a contented man (more or less), Torvald Nom happily fled his wife, as brave, contented men are wont to do the world over. Need to plough that field behind the windbreak, love. Going to head out now and drop the nets. Better sand down that tabletop. Time to go out and rob somebody, sweetness. Yes, men did as they did, just as women did as they did-mysterious and inexplicable as those doings might be.
And, so thinking, it was not long before Torvald Nom found himself walking into the Phoenix Inn. A man looking for work in all the wrong places. Scorch arrived a short time later, pride and panic warring In his face, and my, how that pride blazed as he strutted up to where Torvald Nom was sitting,