[Pivli]

Violet gave her table companion a rather disbelieving look as he told her he didn’t fish. Lad or lassie alike in Bywater, all had a bit of fishing line stuffed in one pocket or another, just in case the opportunity presented itself. And not eat fish! Why no wonder the Fair folk were so skinny! Passing up crispy fried trout served up with taters and onions. Violet simply could not fathom it.

She was about to make some remark, when her sharp old eyes caught sight of a familiar face peeking in at a window. The Stonetoe girl! Violet chuckled to herself. ‘Up to some mischief, I suspect, with that Fred.’ The face disappeared as quickly as it had risen and Violet’s brows raised wondering what the girl thought she was doing.

‘Would you excuse me, Mister Nession,’ she said quickly, leaning on her cane as she leveraged herself up from the chair. ‘I see one of my dear friend’s children out on the porch. Needing some attention, no doubt.’ She bowed her back a bit, working out one of the many kinks that came and went on her aging body. Her knees creaked a little and protested the call to movement.

‘Lara! Lara Stonetoe! Is that you, girl?’ she called out as she started toward the door. Two of the serving lasses from the Inn went running by her nearly knocking her down. ‘Sorry, Miz Greengage. Big Folk accident,’ one of them hurriedly explained. And sure enough two large figures loomed in the doorway, one with a bloody nose. ‘Must be those big old boots they wear. Makes them trip,’ she thought looking at the tableaux.

‘Lara! Is that you lass? Come in and have a little bite to eat, won’t you?’