Page 62 of Second Story

I don’t think he notices Hugo. This grin is only for me—a happy moment of my own when he runs for the window and raps on it.

“Joe! Look! I stuck puppies in my scrapbook!”

I can’t play it cool in front of someone this pleased to see me, and not only because it’s so good to hear Lenny this chatty. Behind him, Isaac’s smile is also blinding. Hugo has to notice that I can’t do anything but return it. His own half-smile makes an appearance after Isaac opens the window for his brother, and I lean in to pull Lenny through the opening.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this, mate.” I wink at him, but it’s Isaac I soak up until Lenny tugs me to the picnic table to admire his new scrapbook entries. I can still hear what Hugo tells Isaac.

“I always think laughter is the sound of healing in action. So good to hear him happy, and I’m very happy to see you making the library your own, but you do know that you don’t need to spend your Sunday working, don’t you?”He snorts softly, and this comes with another wry look my way. “I appreciate that’s a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black after our conversation, but at least Charles does make me take time off to play.” He aims this at Isaac. “How about you do the same for the rest of the weekend? Work can wait until Monday.”

The courtyard acoustics mean I hear this even when Hugo lowers his voice. “Last night, Joseph mentioned that you were still having trouble establishing regular contact with your mother. That she seems to be lost in the system since moving location. Sometimes doors open more easily for clergy. Can I reach out to her prison chaplain for you? See if they can’t help her find her way out of whatever maze she’s lost in?”

Like yesterday, Isaac doesn’t seem to need time to think about his answer.

“Yes, thank you. That would be great.”

“Consider it done.”

Isaac leaves the library and work behind. He joins Hugo to finish their conversation in the shadow of the building while I turn scrapbook pages in sunshine with one ear peeled.

“And one more thing,” Hugo tells him. “Joseph also raised the issue of how long she’s been held on remand. That it isn’t appropriate or usual in her circumstances. He asked if we had any experience with that for past students and if we could point you in the direction of anyone else who might be able to help you navigate those waters for her.”

Hugo meets my eye across the courtyard, his next half-smile coming with his brow furrowing.

“It did prompt Luke and me to think harder. I’m only sorry we didn’t do that sooner. That we were too busy to identify it ourselves as an issue we might help with. I hope you don’t mind that we discussed your situation.”

“Joe talked about me?”

Hugo laughs. “Frankly, it would have been hard to stop him. But it was a useful reminder that the school often needs legal support, and that my husband’s best friend gives it. Could I ask him to advise?—”

I expect Isaac to snap another quick yes. He doesn’t.

“No.”

That’s blunt. So is?—

“I can’t afford any more legal advice. I checked. It would cost thousands to defend her. She does have a free legal aid lawyer.”

Hugo is as blunt as him. “Who hasn’t helped her. I’m sure we could do better for her if we reach out to our contacts.”

I can’t keep in a suggestion. “Let Hugo help.” That echoes across the courtyard.

Isaac’s gaze flicks between us before staying on Hugo. “You don’t even know her.”

“I know her sons.”

Isaac is standing still. His arms are empty. There’s no reason for him to stagger.

I want to catch him. Need to. I get up in a hurry to join them only for Hugo to beat me to it, and I can’t feel bad about him swooping in like I did for little Adam. I guess that only proves you can take a welfare worker out of a team, but those instincts to help and be helped linger.

Hugo steadies Isaac like I steadied his son. “No, I don’t know your mother, but someone taught you how to care, Isaac. How to support your brother. I’m going to assume that she’d appreciate you being supported for a while.” He steps back to clasp Isaac’s shoulders. “Set down some of those weights you’ve carried for her. Let us pick them up by calling in a few favours. No charge. No commitment or promises. Let’s just see what happens, yes? Together.”

Isaac is silent.

I so want to answer for him. Reining in that urge is tough, and I think Hugo shares my struggle. He even models nodding, then waits until Isaac comes to his own decision.

“Yeah. Yes, I mean. Please go ahead and do that.”

“Good.” Hugo squeezes Isaac’s shoulders one last time. “Now don’t you go picking up those weights anytime soon. Do the same as my husband makes me every Sunday.”

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