Oh I do like seeing a hearty appetite! Don't think we have enough for leftovers, though just enough to give Bailey a treat!
Mrs Denton scrubbed the innards of a pot clean as Lillyann worked on washing the tankards, Alys going to and fro from the table to the sink with plates, bowls and cutlery. The kitten, Bailey, weaved around their ankles in hopes scraps of meat would find their way down to her.
I don't think I could repay you Aggie, all this you and the family have done for my girl, and dwarves? Never in all my days would I have thought dwarves would be caring for my child, yet here we are, cleaning up after them too, not that I be complaining, far from it!
Hush now Lily! You be like family to me, you know that! I am only too glad to help, though a pity you couldn't have joined us, dwarves be good company, or at least them two be! Still, at least you've had a good natter to Jackie now, and can see for yourself how she be improving. Why even Mister Maddoct said himself that she'd be up and about in no time, and that fever has to break soon too. Oh, her ears must have been burning!
The three, four counting the kitten, turned as Jackilyn emerged from her room, her skin glistening with sweat, but otherwise looking rather good given her current condition. Quickly her mother discarded the washcloth in her hand and hurried to her daughter, instantly pressing her palm to the girls forehead, her sigh of relief enough to let the others know that the fever seemed to have broken.
All those damp cloths to your head and all must have done the trick, come on dear, you're not out of the woods yet. Aggie? Could you get her something to drink?
Already am Lily! Alys? You go and strip her bed and put on fresh sheets for her.
Jackilyn sat at the table. It was mid morn, and not a crumb was left behind from their cleaning efforts, yet before long a small bowl of honey drizzled oats was placed before her along with a cup of water and some herbal tea. Alys seemed happy, joyous even as she sung whilst tending to her task, her mother though tutting and shaking her head at her childs good mood.
I spoke too soon I did, told her how you were looking at sewing a dress so you could go dancing. Now she's acting like it'll be in a day or two that the pair of you will be twirling about with young lads. I'll put her right, don't you worry.
Lillyann, now back to washing dishes, turned her head to talk to her child.
You? Sew? Remember the last thing you made? Sewed the arm shut on a shirt for your Pa! Poor man tried to push his arm in and were there ages working out why he couldn't!
Jackilyn held her spoon up slightly as she protested, the oats slowly sliding down the curve of it
It were an accident! Besides, I have plenty of time to get it right and it'll give me something to do, never know, if it turns out alright, might be able to make one for Alys here as a thank you.
They were interrupted then with a voice from the bedchamber shouting "In lilac!"
Well, don't run before you can walk Jackie dear, you still need rest and plenty of it.
Aye Ma, I know, I wont do too much, wont have fun, wont laugh, wont blow me own nose even.
Her mother looked unamused, though leaned to kiss the top of her childs head
Now you're just giving me cheek, no one is stopping you doing things, just you cant do everything you want, not yet. You have your writing though, want me to fetch your book?
Before the girl could even answer, her mother went to the fireside to bring the book over to her, though as she did, a bright yellow flower, pressed perfectly, fluttered out from between the pages to float down to the floor. Gathering it up, she had a bit of a look before tucking it away again safely.
How lovely! From Jack were it?
Jackilyn looked at Mrs Denton and gave the woman a discreet shake of the head, silently bidding her not to say a word to her mother.
Jackie dear?
Oh, err, no Ma, from the garden it is.
Well it should last a good long while preserved like that. Oh I remember your Pa giving me flowers, rare he does now. Never wait for a lad to give you flowers or you might be waiting a long while, well, except when it comes to Jack!
Jackilyn took the book and placed it beside her bowl, focusing then on eating to avoid any more chatter.
