[Primrose Bolger]

‘Breakfast first, don’t you think Cook?’ asked Ginger. She’d set the big bowl of batter aside for a moment and was wiping her newly washed hands on a dishtowel near the sink. ‘I’ll join you two, if you don’t mind. All I had was a slice of toast with jam and a cup of hot tea when I got up.’

Ginger gave Tim three plates she’d got down from the cupboard and handed Wren some knives, forks, spoons and three mugs. ‘Just put them on the table in the middle of the kitchen and set yourselves down. I’ll fetch us a platter of eggs, bacon, and taters. And a basket of nice warm bread.’

‘Wren, if you will, just get a little crock of butter from that table by the door. And Tim, can you get a pot of honey and one of jam.’

She brought a teapot to the table and asked if Tim would do the honor. Then she heaped a platter with hot, tasty food and set it down in the middle of the table, a serving spoon at its side.

‘Help yourselves! There’s plenty more – don’t be shy! Once the meal is done and the table cleared I can tell you what we need done in the vegetable garden.’ Ginger helped herself to a large dollop of honey and stirred it slowly into her tea. ‘So, where are you two from?’ she asked as casually as she could, not wanting to scare them off. Nibbling at a piece of bread spread thick with blackberry jam she waited to hear their answer.