[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger speaks to Artifondo

‘Arty – chokes?’ said Ginger, her brow furrowed. ‘You’re wanting The Dragon to take on some arty - chokes?’ She fetched the young man a mug of ale, wiping up the surface of the table where she’d bade him sit down. The thought of eating thistles, for that is what she’d found out from one of the other servers that artichokes are, well . . . it seemed quite awful.

Still he seemed quite hopeful that she or someone would be interested in taking a load off his hands. And she didn’t want to disappoint him . . . she’d seen him fall as he fell in through the door. ‘I don’t know about how much the Inn would take on, but if you can stay a while, perhaps I can see if Cook wants to order some.’

She pointed to the pegs by the door, asking if he’d like his cloak hung up there. ‘I’ll just get you something to eat,’ she went on, thinking he looked like he could stand a bite. ‘It’s mushroom barley soup today with fresh bread and sweet cream butter. And cheese, too, if you wish it.’