[Pivli]

There seemed to have been a great many people come into the Common Room since she and Lara had sat down for a bite to eat. Lara had since excused herself, saying that she should be getting on home. Miz Greengage had bid her say hello to her mother for her and sent the child on her way. Now she sat peering around the fast filling room, wondering if Miz Bunce was in the kitchen.

It certainly smelled as if she were. Delicious, mouthwatering odors were making their way into the Common Room, promising a pleased mouth and a full belly if followed up on. ‘My goodness, Violet!’ she chuckled to herself. ‘It’s a wonder you aren’t seven times bigger than you are. What with your bottomless appetite!’ Mister Greengage had always said that to her, his eyes filled with laughter as she helped herself to a third helping of her own cooking. Then he’d squeeze her tight, lifting her off her feet as he swung her about. ‘Just look at you! Your tiny as a dandelion fluff! Big wind and you’d blow away for sure!’

Planting her can firmly on the oaken floor before her, Violet levered herself up to her feet. She stood there for a few moments, making sure of her balance, then got her old knees to agree to start walking. Towards the kitchen’s doors. She leaned up against one and pushed it open a bit.

‘Miz Bunce? Vinca?’ she called, peering around the door’s edge. ‘It’s Violet Greengage. You in there, dearie?’