[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger noticed the young woman at the bar had spilled some of her drink down her front. The Hobbit fetched a clean cloth from behind the bar and brought around to where the guest stood.

‘Excuse me, miss,’ she said, plucking the woman’s sleeve. ‘That ale stains something awful!’ She held out the rag to the woman. ‘You can sop most of it out with this, if you wish.’

The bag the guest carried at her side seemed to rustle quietly. Curious, Ginger let her gaze slide down to it. ‘Oh my goodness!’ she exclaimed as the bag seemed to move just a bit, from within. ‘What’s in there?’ she blurted out, pointing at the bag.