[Arry]

‘She’s always like that,’ said Woody as they hurried after Hanson. ‘Cook, I mean. Sometimes she reminds me of my Gammer. Kind of tough acting on the outside and soft like woolly fluff on the inside. And always watching out for us . . . well not just ‘us’ but anybody she takes a shine to. And she likes to see everybody well fed . . . but then that’s how us Hobbits tend to be. And especially Cook.’

Hanson was waving wildly at the three other children from the stable door. He dashed inside, disappearing from view.

Woody took hold of one side of the basket’s handle, giving Tim a hand with the unwieldy thing. ‘Maybe you two can stick around for bit. I’ll bet Cook’d trade you some chores for meals and such. That is, if you want to . . .’