[Arry]

Ferdy

Along the sides of the little rolling hills round the burrow where Ferdy and his family lived, the late spring flowers were in full bloom. He’d stopped his cart along the side of the road just west of the Inn and picked a small bouquet. For Ginger. A fistful of lupine with some soft yellow switches of witch-hazel mixed in.

There were some heads turned as he entered the Common room, and stood blinking in the low light. He squinted looking about for the sight of her face.

‘In the kitchen,’ said Ruby, passing by him with a tray of mugs.

He grinned at her and saying thanks, made his way across the room. More than one of the patrons nodded as he went by. And Gaffer Mossyfoot cackled a bit, giving a toothless grin as Ferdy went past him. ‘Got hit bad, that ‘un’ Didn’t he just!’ He tapped his cane on the floor and looked into the distance with his rheumy eyes. ‘Lupine’ll do it, though. The gals like ‘em.’ He gave a whoop and took a swallow of ale from his mug. ‘That’s a kiss-getting’ bouquet, if ever I saw one,’ he declared.

Others at his table gave the bouquet a moment of consideration, then one of them laid a wager on the old gaffer’s statement.