That made perfect sense. Mr. Meijer had seemed like a bully to him. He distinctly remembered the stethoscope incident. He had conveniently forgotten that this had taken place before he had accepted the man's invitation to champagne and possibly getting laid.

"I'm sorry to hear," Tristan said. "I don't know him that well."

So tell me more..., he did not add.

He left and returned with the lemonade and some bread. "Here, try some bread with that soup, if you feel your stomach can take it," he said, as he handed them over. "And don't worry. He has a boy working there at the farm. He seems strong enough to help get you there, if your brother's not there."