'John, I beg you give it up before you are caught,' pleaded Mary.

'Just one more then it will be over. I promise.'

'Why do you need to do these things?'

'You know why. If the squire's son thinks he can meddle with our family he has another thing coming.' John grabbed his coat from the back of the door, planted a kiss on the forehead of his two children and disappeared into the night.

'Where's Jane?' asked Molly for the umpteenth time. Mary tried not to sound exasperated with her daughter she knew she didn't really understand in fact she wondered if she did either. Mary's whole world seemed to be crumbling around her. Why did Jane have to get involved with Ralph, the Squire's son, there were plenty of her own kind in the village. The expense of sending her practically drained their resources. How would they pay the rent next Lady Day?

'Come on you two you should be a sleep long ago.' She leant over the two cots in the recess of the chimney and pulled the blankets tighter around them. Kissing them both, she blew out all but one candle. Mary sat in the strange light contemplating what was to be done. Her thoughts went to her husband. Since he had discovered Ralph had had his way with Jane he had become a different man. There was murder in his eyes. Mary feared he would do something to endanger the rest of the family. He had taken to stealing small items from the manor house under cover of darkness; nothing too big but worth enough to sell on in the market where items were exchanged with questions asked.

Mary dosed and was suddenly aware of the presence of John.

'Still up woman?' he queried.

'You knew I can't go to bed when you are out. What's happened?' She had noticed the blood oozing out of a gash on John's left arm.

'It's nothing. Get some water.'

'What have you done?'

'Nothing woman, just get me water.'

As she went to fetch water little Joe began to stir, 'Hush dear go back to sleep. Mary spoke in hushed tones asking John what happened.

'Everything was going well - a few pieces, nothing too big, a pewter tanker, a gold broach . I was just leaving when I heard voices, I hid in the long room hoping they would soon go. A door opened and Ralph and a young girl entered,' he looked directly in Mary's eyes, 'she was so like Jane. They laughed quietly and kissed. I knew what he was after - I wondered if this was where he had Jane. Something snapped, I grabbed a stiletto unsheathed it and plunged it into his back. The girl screamed, gathered up her clothes and fled. Ralph staggered to his feet , brandished his sword and swung at me. He caught me on the arm as he staggered forward and crumpled to the floor. I think I killed him.' He sat in silence.

'But you don't know?' whispered Mary.

'I wasn't going to wait to find out. The noise we made had disturbed the household, dogs were barking and voices were calling out from the main hall.'

'What will you do?'

'What can I do? Nobody but that girl knows and I doubt she got a good view of me.'

Mary sat with her hand over her mouth. Tears were welling up in her eyes; things couldn't get worse, could they?
The next day with his arm bound, John headed for work on the estate. He had decided to keep a low profile. As he neared the courtyard of the old barn several men were standing around - the talk was all about the murder of Ralph.

'John. A word,' said Morris the blacksmith sidling up to John, 'What's wrong with your arm?'

'Nothing,' said John placing his hand over the wound.

'Looks painful as if you've been in a fight.'

'I'll ask you to mind your own business Morris,' John walked away but was grabbed by the arm, he winced with pain.

'If you murdered Ralph,' hissed Morris, 'you'll need all the friends you can get to cover for you. Let's say we split the proceeds from last night.'

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Don't mess me around, I saw you last night. A few minutes later Ralph followed with a wench similar in age to your daughter I'm guessing.'

'Who knows about Jane?' demanded John.

'Common knowledge. Split the difference?'

'Get lost!'

The conversation stopped as horses' hooves clattered across the cobbles. John saw the face of the Squire, a mixture of anger and grief. He pulled the reins on his horse and stared at the men, 'There will be no work today,' he said clearing his throat, 'I intend to hunt down the killer of my son. If anyone knows anything you will be rewarded. I will not rest until he is brought to justice.' He rode off in the direction of the village John knew he would have to get back to his family.

John ran as quickly as he could across the fields hoping to head off the Squire as he reached the edge of the wood overlooking the village he was horrified at the site. Several houses were on fire including his own. He rushed down the slopes into the village square he pushed his way past screaming children. He was about to enter his house when he was restrained by two of the Squire's men. John was swung round to face the Squire.

'What do you know about my son?' roared the Squire. John said nothing but just stared at him. 'Bring his wife!'

Mary and his two children were dragged from behind the burning house. John saw fear in their eyes, Joe was screaming and his hands were stretching out towards him.

'I'll ask again. What do you know?'

John saw Morris standing at a distance behind his wife. John's scream was silent as the order was given to butcher his wife and children.