[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger speaks to Tim

Before Cook could respond to the boy who’d walked in, Ginger spoke up. Clouds of flour were swirling up from the bowl in which she was stirring the dry ingredients for the spice cakes to be served at supper. Her brows were hoary from the finely sifted flour and her copper curls were taking on a premature tint of white.

‘Oh, goodness! You’re just in time!’ she said to Tim. With a dusted hand she motioned for him to bring over the basket of eggs. ‘Can you just get that blue bowl over there, the one on the counter? And crack nine eggs into it, if you would. Mind you, no shells, please. I’ve got three sheet cakes to make and the wet ingredients to beat together next.’

Ginger looked over to where Cook was frying up potatoes and onions in two large skillets, and turning the bacon on the long griddle. ‘You’ve sent Buttercup to the butcher’s, and Ruby is busy with serving breakfast. I’ll be tied up for a good bit with the cakes. Do you think this lad could be gotten to work the vegetable garden today?’ She grinned at Tim, a hopeful look on her face.

‘Can’t go calling you lad all day, can I?’ she said with a sneeze. Ginger wiped the back of her arm beneath her nose, managing to smear a trail of white across her cheek. ‘My name’s Ginger. I’m one of the girls from nearby. What do you call yourself, Master Egg-bringer?’