[Arry]

Gil blushed, looking up at Zimzi as she circled the trunk, inspecting it. It was hard for him to take his eyes from her, so fair he thought her. She looked as pretty in her everday dress and plain shawl as she did yesterday in her fancy dress for the handfasting. ‘Lucky man!’ he thought glancing at Derufin. ‘Hope luck looks my way when I’m ready to tie the knot.’

He could feel Tomlin looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to answer her questions. Instead, he opened the latch and opened the lid. One of the marionettes was on top, and he picked it up and dangled it down. With a few movements of the strings, he made the little feet dance a bit in front of Zimzi, then had the puppet bow gallantly to the delighted woman.

‘It belonged to Miz Bunce’s husband and his brother.’ ‘And Cook sewed the clothes herself,’ Tomlin added as Zimzi fingered one of the lacy frocks.

Gil laid the puppet carefully back in the chest and closed the top securely. ‘Cook’s told us we can use one of the back rooms to practice with the puppets. Said they should be put to use.’ He puffed up a bit, patting the top of the trunk. ‘Going to put on a play, we are. Me and the other lads.’