“Good morning, Monsieur Aubert.”
Lanval turned around from loading his cart at the quayside, hearing his name, to see a man he did not immediately recognise,
“And to you,” He answered, out of politeness.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” The stranger asked.
Lanval thought for a moment, then,
“Of course, you’re the boy’s father I gave the canaries to. How are they doing?”
“That’s the reason I’m here. I’d hoped to find you. I’ve got a problem, of sorts.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but how can I help you?”
“It’s my lad and those birds. He dotes on them, you wouldn’t believe how much he’s changed. Since his mother passed away…well, he took it very badly, as you can imagine and…” The man stopped, his eyes welling up with tears. “Last year, the pair you gave him had two chicks but, I can’t
