"Do you know how to read, Missus Hopmead?" Taite looked up from the half-furled parchment sitting beside her bowl of pottage.
"Aye, a bit, miss. What've you got there?" The portly woman wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron and stepped up to the table.
The raven-haired young woman offered the letter while her mouth worked on a fresh spoonful of stew.
"Oi, it's from the doctor. You want me to read it out to you?" asked the cook.
