The last of Mori’s group to be working at the mill was a young woman, barely more than a girl. When she also, inevitably, fell ill, I kept the news from him. He lived comfortably with me, with his tapestry to occupy him and some light duties around the house, though I’m sure my daily staff disapproved of my guardianship of such an unusual young man. Maybe my infatuation with him blinded my sense. All I can say is I didn’t care in the slightest.
I wanted him every moment of the day, whether I was with him or not. I sat at my desk at the mill, ignoring my work, and I imagined his blue eyes watching me as I spoke to him; his eager gratitude for the meals we shared; his smile when I tried to entertain him with ill-practised jokes. I heard, echoing deeply inside my head, the gasp of anticipati
