Chapter 7
Tom nervously glanced at his son, walking quietly beside him. The boy didn’t utter a word since the matron ordered him to accompany Tom. He was not able to guess what the child was thinking but surely he had a lot of questions. It seemed to Tom that the child was not convinced with his explanation for taking him out but unlike any other child of his age in this situation he was maintaining a certain composure. Somehow Tom was thankful for which. He himself didn’t know why he suddenly had the urge to spend time with his son from whom he was supposed to run away. He was still debating about that. But he was not able to check his curiosity to know the boy better after what he had heard and seen in the orphanage. He observed the child closely. For an eight years old the boy is quite taller. But was leaner for his height, but he couldn’t be called skinny, rather the structure of his limbs point about his physical fitness. Which was proved the way he was putting up with his father’s long stride without difficulty. In morning light little tom’s skin was looking so pale as if it was made of ice, his pink lips looked dry. He was wearing a simple black sweater and trouser, though new but both seemed a little shorter for him and so is tighter, yet the child managed to look regal even in this simple clothes. He was walking putting his hands in trousers pocket. Tom remembered the child had no gloves. In this early morning London Street was almost empty, so no carriage or car were seen nearby, they had to walk to the restaurant, and with all the layer of Tom’s warm clothes he could still feel the bite of cold where the child’s small hat was not enough to cover his ears which had turned pink along with his cheeks in cold. Tom couldn’t hold himself as he placed his gloves cover hands on both cheek of the child. They were really cold as ice.
“What are you doing?” Little Tom flinched and Tom removed his hand at once, He scolded himself mentally, for scaring the boy. He was still a stranger for the child.
“I am sorry, Tom, I was just checking that if you are cold or not.” Tom tried to explain.
Little Tom frowned, nobody ever wanted to know if he was feeling cold or not let alone touching him like that. Why this man was so interested in him? Was he intended to adopt him? But nobody wanted a boy with his reputation ever. Or Jack was really right that this man wanted to buy him for using in own purpose. But this stranger looks like a gentleman, will he really do thing like that?
“It is January, what is so strange in getting cold?” replied little Tom still frowning.
“But your clothes really look short for this cold, are they really this year’s Christmas present?” Tom had to ask, and the child’s face turned grave.
‘Mrs. Cole said I grow up too quickly than the rest of children and the tailor can’t cope up with my height change every year.” Little Tom really didn’t like to talk about these things, it turn his mood bitter. He kept on walking.
Tom gritted his teeth, “So apparently his son’s early growth was a problem too? Just because he was not like other children?”
“Wait a minute Tom” He called and the child stopped looking at him questioningly. He removed his muffler and tied it tightly around the boy’s neck. The Child rolled in his eyes in astonishment.
“Why did you do this?” Little Tom really wanted to know. This kind of gesture was not at all familiar to him.
“Because you needed it, otherwise you will catch a cold and will be sick.” Says Tom while rubbing his hands against Little Tom’s cheeks again, trying to provide some warmth.
“I don’t fall ill,” shrugged Little Tom, “I have roamed London with my old sweater on in much more cold than this.” even though he said that, he couldn’t deny the touch of fine wools were very comfortable against his cold skin, that was frozen in the cold breeze from Thames bank, which they were passing. He didn’t try to push away Mr. Thomas’s hands.
Tom’s heart felt heavier, he put an arm around his son pressing him against his warm overcoat, the boy’s face didn’t show any expression but he didn’t resist either giving Tom the feeling the child also wanted the warmth.
Soon they reached to one of Tom’s favorite restaurants, he used to visit for breakfast with friends during his college days in London. A very old and posh breakfast joint that was visited by English aristocrats. The manager frowned upon little Tom’s simple attire but didn’t say anything seeing he was accompanied by a gentleman who had been an old customer of them, the similarity of both weren’t also gone unnoticed by him either.
It was comfortably warm inside the restaurant, Tom put his overcoat and hat on chair and removed gloves after they were led to their table. He ordered a full course English breakfast for them and looked at the boy, who was indifferently looking at the interior, without showing any childlike curiosity.
“You mentioned you use to roam London” Tom attempted to start a conversation “but with whom?” he really didn’t expect anybody would have time to accompany the child along London
“I don’t need anyone to guide me.” Replied the child in a cold voice that startled Tom. Yet he forced a smile. “of course you are a very smart kid, but aren’t you afraid of getting lost?” Tom’s mother didn’t even let him roaming around a small village like little hangleton before he attended high school and this child roamed all alone in a big city as London?
“I don’t get lost, I roam alone since first year of school, I recognize any street I have come across once, I am now familiar with most of London streets.” Little Tom sounded a bit proud. Tom knew the children left alone to fending for their own do develop some skills early, but this was something commendable for even such children.
“Boy, you need to keep in mind, there are dangerous people out in London who kidnap children like you for various unlawful activities.” Tom didn’t hide the concern, he really was worried the lonely child was an easy target for criminals.
Little Tom also sensed the concern, it was something new to him, whenever he used to be out in dark till late Mrs. Cole used to scold him and sometimes punished him, Martha did provide him medicine or hot water sometimes but that was more out of worry that if he fell ill she has to take care of a freak as him. But this man’s voice did bear a genuine concern, the tone of which was unfamiliar to him. It was very confusing.
“I can protect myself, I have enough experience for that.” It was not a lie, Jack and his friends were no less than criminals, there are rumors Jack has connection with smugglers, if he can deal with them he will deal with criminals if they bother him. Although it was not true that he was not worried about bad people, but for that making himself stronger was more effective than being hidden behind closed door. The world was not for weaker.
The food had been served meanwhile. It consisted of bacon, sausage, egg poach, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushroom, hashed brown potatoes, fried bread, white and black pudding just like a traditional English breakfast, accompanied with orange juice and a large tea pot. There was more dishes than the breakfast. Lunch and dinner combined for a week in wool’s. Little Tom’s stomach growled, reminding him he has not eaten in last 12 hours. The aroma from the food was making him restless yet he waited till the Mr. Thomas filled his dish like a perfect noble child.
Tom observed the child was not unfamiliar to table etiquette, if not for his dress no one could really tell that he was a novice in a place like that. He himself was not feeling hungry, last evening’s dinner with Marius Black had been quite generous, and then his mind was in a constant race that made him unable to think of foods. He quietly sipped his tea watching his child eating. Despite all his table manners the eagerness was evident with which Little Tom was devouring his meal, showing how hungry he was. Tom’s heart felt sour, a Riddle heir was having his first proper meal in his entire eight years of life. For first time he felt a little regret for not finding out about the truth of Merope’s claim sooner. Tom himself was quite surprised in his thought process. Till yesterday he didn’t feel anything other than utter contempt for that hag. Since the moment he had fled from her trap it seemed as if his hatred, anger, disgust and fear for her was the guiding force of life. He knew he never could be able to get over from the trauma for rest of his life. But now how much one can hate or accuse a dead person? All his negative feelings had lost its intensity and there was a vacuum now. The name Merope Gaunt didn’t mean anything for him anymore. Instead the deceased woman was being replaced by a living breathing child in his mind.
It was seen that along with other abilities Little Tom possessed a bigger appetite than other children of his age. It didn’t take long for him to finish off all the food served to him. He was not a peaky eater either. Finishing his glass of juice he neatly wiped his face with paper towel and looked at Tom.
“Thanks for the meal, sir.” He thanked in his cold matured tone.
“Where did you learn the uses of cutlery??” Tom was clearly surprised, this was the last thing an orphanage would teach.
“I have seen noble men and women using these in restaurants while roaming around, and I don’t forget whatever I see.” Little Tom says casually. It was not that he learnt those etiquettes as he was very keen to become one of the gentlemen, but he had seen those manners are necessary to leave good impression on people that would be helpful to reach one’s goal. He had applied his tactics on the teachers of school who were not affected by the rumor of his freakiness, and in result he was always granted early leave.
“What other things do you do except roaming around? You must have some hobbies” Subconsciously Tom wanted the child to have some similarity with him other than the looks. He wanted to ignore the child’s connection with Merope desperately.
“I like to read” Little Tom replied after thinking for a while, “ I finish all my school books before first quarter and then higher class book too, I try to peep in local libraries and book shops too but can’t buy or lend so I try to read as much as possible sitting there.”
Tom felt relieved, his son is not illiterate as his mother’s family and inherited liking for books from father side. Riddle manor has its own library whose collection get enhanced by generation after generation including Tom's own contribution.
“So which standard are you in?” Tom assumed the child will be in 3rd standard according to his age
“In 5th, the teacher won’t promote me any further before I become ten.” The child replied in an annoyed tone, there is nothing new to learn in my class anymore, so I leave school early to get rid of boredom.”
“And your teachers let you?” Tom felt anger tickling inside him. How irresponsible the teachers could be to let a child roam on his own?
“They don’t care, I have quite a reputation” the child smirked sarcastically. “Also I top every year, so there is no excuse to stop me.”
Before Tom had time to wonder about his son’s brilliance the waiter came with bill, Tom made the payment and added a generous amount of tips.
The manager greeted as the father and son were proceeded to leave and then in a low tone he whispered to Tom, “Sir you have taught your son well, but next time please dress him well too, our restaurant maintain proper decorum but you had been our frequent visitor once so we made the exception for you.”
Tom nodded and left fast. He was feeling like caught donning some crime. This was the first time someone recognized the child as his son. He forgot this was not semi-dark orphanage. Anyone could get the resemblance of two of them. And he was really confused what reaction he should have. Shouldn’t he supposed to be scared that the truth of his past would come out to the world and he would have no way to flee? He should have returned the child to wool’s and gone in his own way as soon as possible. But instead he grabbed his son’s hand and led him to the dress shops in street next to the restaurants while still debating on his urge to leave for home at once.