Gerdwyn sat outside looking into the sky. She had a hard life, filled with lots of sadness but lots of happiness too. Gerdwyn looked at the empty space in the garden. The space used to be filled with toys and books and on the odd occasion a little picnic basket. Gerdwyn was used to sitting outside watching the children play with each other. The house was cold and lonely and it had been for a while. It had been a silent house no more sounds of laughter and squeals of delight or the patter of running feet just silence. Gerdwyn loved raising her children, she had spent years looking after them. Thy were older now each one married and busy with there own lives some with children others working hard. Gerdwyn hated watching her children grow up so fast; she hated watching them leave the home. Gerdwyn was sad when her children had left but still had the company of her husband; he was a good man and cared for Gerdwyn. But now even her husband is gone, left to rest in his grave. He grew sick and died leaving Gerdwyn all alone with no one to talk to. Gerdwyn did have many friends but the company of friends only lasts a while and it didn’t fill that empty space.
Gerdwyn got up to pour another cup of tea and put another cake in the oven. She enjoyed cooking; it took up her time and kept her distracted from her lonely thoughts. She made delicious dishes such as stews, vegetable dishes and cakes. Many of her recipes had been passed down the family and her mother and grandmother had taught her how to cook, making Gerdwyn one of the best. Gerdwyn often thought of getting a job as a cook or maybe even an assistant but she never had the courage to go into the town and look for a job. She had spent most of her life indoors with the children and cleaning and cooking so she didn’t know much about the village and the people in it. Her eldest daughter Loria had often tried to persuade her mom to get a job in the village. But Gerdwyn said she was happy at home relaxing and she didn’t need the money, she could grow her own food and make her own things. But lately Gerdwyn was having second thoughts. A job would let her meet new people and let her have a social life. It would also keep her busy so she wouldn’t have to stay in a lonely home all day.
Gerdwyn finished her cup of tea and made up her mind. She got ready and put on a lovely green dress. Gerdwyn had a plump, round figure and chubby, rosy cheeks. Her eyes were a deep blue and her hair was brown and the grey was starting to show. She wasn’t very old but the lines on her face showed she had lived a hard life. Gerdwyn clipped her hair back and washed her hands. She was going to head to the White Horse Inn because she had heard they were looking for people and had jobs to offer and rumours had it that her old friend Froma the cook had retired. It would be good if the rumours were true but if not she could always take a job as a scullery maid, anything to keep her busy.
Gerdwyn closed the door and had a look at her house “I need someone to fix that broken window frame” she said to herself. She set off to The White Horse Inn, it wasn’t far off but it was a good walk. Gerdwyn arrived at the Inn and hesitated and took a step back what if I am not good enough or the job is taken she questioned herself. A young man opened the doors and held them open for her and with a sigh she entered the Inn. It was a busy place but it was happy and had a warm atmosphere. She took a few steps more and looked around at all the happenings and all the people around. She looked around at the walls and windows and she liked the comfortable look. A black chalk board captured her eye and she walked towards it and stood very close to read it, she had forgotten her glasses on the fire place mantel at her home. She squinted a bit and placed her finger on the board so she could follow and there she read:
Wanted: Many Hands
To rebuild the stable:
Foresters and lumberers (to provide lumber)
Architects and artists (to design plans)
Carpenters
Roofers
To serve in The Horse:
Cook (Froma is leaving)
Gerdwyn gasped “aha cook! And the rumours were true, Froma is leaving!” She thought for a second and wondered why Froma was leaving, she did enjoy some good gossip! She read on to see how she could apply for the job “Please apply to the Innkeeper, Bethberry, stating experience. Wages: Room and Board, with additional sums as befits level of work and skill.” She read out loud to herself. She looked around wondering who is this Bethberry.
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