Dear Mum,
First off, hello to everybody back home, in case you are reading this letter to them. I am well and happy here in Oldfurlong and have even began to meet some of my neighbors, who have been most kind to me.
On Fridays when I am not too busy, as you know, I have been visiting the Green Dragon in Bywater (which is a very long walk, but there is often company on the road). I saw Cuthbert there as well just a few weeks ago, and it was nice to see Family again.
I have begun to make some friends here, and a lass named Acorne has in particular been most kind to me. Also I have met many members of the Grand Order of the Lost Mathom, but please don't tell Uncle Raynard (unless you are reading this aloud I suppose) on account of I know that he thinks they are behind all the wolves he says he is finding in the Bindbole wood on his hunting trips.
I also met a fellow named Pipes recently, and he had been impressed by my playing the lute one day in the Green Dragon, which is how he came to invite me to join him and a lass named Hollybeary. We call ourselves Thorn & Roses now, and while we have only played once at the Green Dragon on Friday we are hoping to do so again this week. It has been a lot of fun.
Please also tell Lettice that I am sorry if I hurt her feelings when I put my name in for the May Queen competition. I know that she is wanting to win it very badly but please tell her that she has a much better chance of winning than me on account of her blond hair (which is much prettier than boring old brown). And please tell her that I hope very much she gets it and there are no Hard Feelings regardless.
I have been selling Fred's leaf like hot-cakes! Please tell him that we are back-ordered for the Gold-Fire varietal however; I know this is very hard to grow and that the frost has not been good for the harvest but it is absolutely our best seller and I actually sold a large amount to one of the Big Folk, a man who had come all the way from Bree to purchase some fine pipe-weed! Now that is something to write home about, as they say!!
Hope this letter finds the whole family well and please tell Marigold as per your last letter to me that yes, she can borrow what dresses I have left behind as they do not fit me any longer.
Sincerely,
Rosa
PS: Mum, please let me know what I ought to do about the wooden cutting board that got cracked as I know it was very dear to Great Aunt Ruby but Willamina did not seem to have ever taken much care of it.
