'We'll see if I'm worth paying when I get out there, I've never
farmed before.'
The
man stopped his fork mid-way to his mouth, bacon hanging there
limply, he looked up at him incredulously. 'You've never farmed
before in your life?'
Telling
the man about his lack of experience had been the wrong thing to say,
Jakob just hoped it didn't get back to Harvester. 'I was born in the
city, I only moved here a few weeks ago.'
Solomon
shrugged and turned his attention back to his breakfast. 'I guess
you're right, we'll find out if you're worth much soon enough. Just
try not to fuck anything up, okay?'
Jakob
didn't need to be a great observer of people to know what that sneer
implied. He was the stupid city boy coming out to rub shoulders with
good honest country folk when he had no right being here. This
conversation was getting worse by the minute, at least there was a
veneer of civility in spite of their mutual dislike.
'I
think you'll find us city folk are full of surprises,' he said into
the growing silence.
He
knew he should be diplomatic with Solomon, that antagonising the man
was only going to make his job harder in the long term, yet he
couldn't help the pit of jealousy bubbling within him. What the hell
did someone like Ella see in this man? It was a childish thought, yet
it festered in spite of his efforts to dampen it down.
Solomon
didn't respond to him, though the stabbing motions with his fork had
increased somewhat, scratching the plate and clearly displaying a
foul mood.
Jakob
finished off his meal in silence, even the presence of Solomon
couldn't spoil what turned out to be an excellent fried breakfast.
Now that he was well-rested and well-fed he felt he could approach
this whole Harvester situation with a renewed optimism.
Solomon
made a point of ignoring him as he left the room, Jakob returned the
favour. He cleared up his plate and made his way out in his own time,
refusing to be rushed.
The
sun was fully in the sky now, a multitude of animal noises greeted
him and the air was hot and clingy. Jakob was starting to get used to
the stench of the place, it was no worse than the city slums. He had
no idea if his dealings with Solomon had jeopardised his place or
not.
He
waved at one of the nearby farmhands and asked him where he could
find Harvester. The boy looked at him as if he were daft and gestured
out into the fields. He didn't thank the boy.
The
fields of Harvester's farm stretched out for miles either way, a
series of men could be seen working in each one and the entire area
seemed to be surrounded by the same high hedge he had seen at the
gate.
He
wandered about rather aimlessly as the boy's directions were vague at
best, then he found himself pondering as to how on Earth he was meant
to find one man in such a vast and open expanse. His fears were soon
allayed by a stream of curses echoing in Harvester's voice from a
field nearby.
He
crossed over and saw that the cart from the inn had tipped over and
landed on top of the man, who was gesturing furiously at the workers
around him. Solomon was crouched nearby, straining at the cart as he
attempted to right it. The panicking horses were being chased down in
the field by a few hands. The whole scene was utter disarray and
chaos.
Gathering
speed, Jakob rushed over and joined Solomon's side. A few other men
were straining at the cart now but whatever way it had toppled had
pinned it to the ground.
Solomon
scowled at him, as if this was somehow Jakob's fault, he then
addressed one of the other men. 'Get to the tool shed, we may have to
cut him loose if we can't get this damn thing off.'
He
gave the cart a final heave and then fell back, swearing in
frustration.
Lift
the cart.
Jakob looked around, but nobody
was speaking to him.
You
can do this. Lift the cart.
His hands glided over the rough
wooden surface of their own accord, seeking purchase. He didn't
realise he was bracing until he started to lift.
It was a strange sensation, like
everything
farmed before.'
The
man stopped his fork mid-way to his mouth, bacon hanging there
limply, he looked up at him incredulously. 'You've never farmed
before in your life?'
Telling
the man about his lack of experience had been the wrong thing to say,
Jakob just hoped it didn't get back to Harvester. 'I was born in the
city, I only moved here a few weeks ago.'
Solomon
shrugged and turned his attention back to his breakfast. 'I guess
you're right, we'll find out if you're worth much soon enough. Just
try not to fuck anything up, okay?'
Jakob
didn't need to be a great observer of people to know what that sneer
implied. He was the stupid city boy coming out to rub shoulders with
good honest country folk when he had no right being here. This
conversation was getting worse by the minute, at least there was a
veneer of civility in spite of their mutual dislike.
'I
think you'll find us city folk are full of surprises,' he said into
the growing silence.
He
knew he should be diplomatic with Solomon, that antagonising the man
was only going to make his job harder in the long term, yet he
couldn't help the pit of jealousy bubbling within him. What the hell
did someone like Ella see in this man? It was a childish thought, yet
it festered in spite of his efforts to dampen it down.
Solomon
didn't respond to him, though the stabbing motions with his fork had
increased somewhat, scratching the plate and clearly displaying a
foul mood.
Jakob
finished off his meal in silence, even the presence of Solomon
couldn't spoil what turned out to be an excellent fried breakfast.
Now that he was well-rested and well-fed he felt he could approach
this whole Harvester situation with a renewed optimism.
Solomon
made a point of ignoring him as he left the room, Jakob returned the
favour. He cleared up his plate and made his way out in his own time,
refusing to be rushed.
The
sun was fully in the sky now, a multitude of animal noises greeted
him and the air was hot and clingy. Jakob was starting to get used to
the stench of the place, it was no worse than the city slums. He had
no idea if his dealings with Solomon had jeopardised his place or
not.
He
waved at one of the nearby farmhands and asked him where he could
find Harvester. The boy looked at him as if he were daft and gestured
out into the fields. He didn't thank the boy.
The
fields of Harvester's farm stretched out for miles either way, a
series of men could be seen working in each one and the entire area
seemed to be surrounded by the same high hedge he had seen at the
gate.
He
wandered about rather aimlessly as the boy's directions were vague at
best, then he found himself pondering as to how on Earth he was meant
to find one man in such a vast and open expanse. His fears were soon
allayed by a stream of curses echoing in Harvester's voice from a
field nearby.
He
crossed over and saw that the cart from the inn had tipped over and
landed on top of the man, who was gesturing furiously at the workers
around him. Solomon was crouched nearby, straining at the cart as he
attempted to right it. The panicking horses were being chased down in
the field by a few hands. The whole scene was utter disarray and
chaos.
Gathering
speed, Jakob rushed over and joined Solomon's side. A few other men
were straining at the cart now but whatever way it had toppled had
pinned it to the ground.
Solomon
scowled at him, as if this was somehow Jakob's fault, he then
addressed one of the other men. 'Get to the tool shed, we may have to
cut him loose if we can't get this damn thing off.'
He
gave the cart a final heave and then fell back, swearing in
frustration.
Lift
the cart.
Jakob looked around, but nobody
was speaking to him.
You
can do this. Lift the cart.
His hands glided over the rough
wooden surface of their own accord, seeking purchase. He didn't
realise he was bracing until he started to lift.
It was a strange sensation, like
everything
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