[Noinkling]

Tolly’s head was bent well over his bowl as he sopped the last bit of gravy from it with a chunk of bread. So intent was he on getting the final splotch of savory stew cleaned up that he did not notice the approach of another server. The shadow of an arm fell across his vision and a hand holding a bowl of sweet and cinnamon delight placed the tasty offering before him. ‘Ah!’ he said, glancing up with a toothy grin. ‘Dessert!’

He rubbed his hands together in happy anticipation and drew the bowl toward him, glancing up expectantly at the pitcher of clotted cream the server held in her hands. A new server, he noted. Bit long in the tooth for this sort of work, he thought, wondering what circumstances had brought her to work at the Inn. He smiled again at her. ‘Might I have a measure of cream, miss?’ he asked, pushing the bowl toward her.

The server poured a generous dollop onto the flaky, sugared crust of the apple cobbler. Tolly tucked into it with his spoon, shoveling a large bite into his mouth. He nodded at the taste and texture of the concoction, grinning widely around it as he chewed and swallowed. ‘Oh my, this is wonderful! My compliments to your cook, once again, miss!’ he said, looking up into the amused face of the server.