[Fairleaf]

‘Ma! Ma!’ cried Reggie running pell mell between tables, his sister following after.

Wilfrid reached out from his chair and scooped the boy up, setting him firmly on his knee. ‘Now what’s all this that you’re yelling for your Ma and running like a wild man through the Inn?’ Daisy had sidled up to her mother, nestling in against her. ‘And what’s this?’ said Mari, putting her arm about her daughter’s shoulders. ‘I can see those big eyes of yours, Daisy, just wanting to put a question to me.’ She laughed, a pretty sound in the loudness of the Inn. ‘And I can just tell you’re hoping the answer is yes.’

Reggie tried to talk, but his words and thoughts were all jumbled up. So it was Daisy who pointed out where Miz Bella was sitting and told her Ma all about the lessons she was offering.

Mari looked worriedly at Wilfrid. ‘Sounds like a nice idea. But we really don’t know her, do we. And I’ve no idea where she lives.’ It was Reggie then who grinned and blurted out that Mz Bella was going to be right here at the Inn. ‘Oh please, please, please can . . . no, MAY we?’

Wilfrid nodded his head yes, saying that they’d have to wait for a final answer ‘til their Ma found out more about it.

‘Well, alright,’ grumbled Reggie, then brightened. ‘Though you know she gave us our first lesson to try out . . . so we shouldn’t take too long.’

The riddle was told and puzzled over by parent and child alike. ‘Beats me what it’s aiming at,’ Wilfrid said. ‘What do you think son?’

Reggie’s little face screwed up with concentrated thought. ‘Don’t know, Papa. But it must be something secret and magical.’ He leaned forward and whispered in Wilfrid’s ear. ‘You don’t suppose it’s dragons, do you?’

Wilfrid smiled at Mari. ‘Dragons? Well I don’t know about that. Best if we get you signed up with Miz Bella, Reggie. Then you can tell me.’