"How were he?"
The young woman sipped warm tea from a newly glazed cup, the large strawberry painted upon the side far from perfect, wonky, the seeds too vibrant a yellow, the stalk too small for the fruit, but the white flowers behind it were almost perfect. The older woman took a sip from her much plainer cup and responded with a..
"He be as you remember him child, for the most part. Enquiring after family, polite talk"
Mrs Denton rested the bottom of the cup on her large chest, her chubby finger barely fitting through the handle to steady it.
"..He looks happy? Healthy? Like he is eating?"
"Don't be fretting over such things, he is a grown man, can take care of himself I am sure."
Jackilyn gave the woman a rather unconvinced look, which was returned
"He can mend a bone aye, can fix a burn, but you know as well as I do it ain't the be all and end all. Did you get my tea?"
The old woman closed her eyes and sighed deeply
"I did, and I did not, I went and left the blasted tea behind and after paying for it as well. I'll see about fetching it in the morning for you lass, we have plenty enough still and I will have plenty enough for when he be traveling so you wont run out"
"Traveling? Where?"
"I don't know dear, no doubt off to gather his herbs and whatnot, maybe to visit family, I did not think to ask"
The girl sighed and took another sip of the fragrant drink, the older woman watched her
"Child, don't be holding out hope, you be a bright, pretty young thing, there be many lads who would be happy to be keeping your company. Aye, he sent you gifts, but it not be like them from other lads. If I were to guess, I'd say he be worried about seeing you, that and your family"
Jackilyn gave her a suspicious look as she lowered the cup from her lips
"Specific gifts, thoughtful ones. Did he say something?"
"He said enough lass, and I do not think he knows fully what he wants, though -you- do I know. I doubt he can or be willing to give you them things or he would be here now drinking tea with you and not I"
Bailey leapt upon the young womans lap and instinctively, Jackie began scratching her behind the ear, rewarded for her actions with a soft purr. Though instead of anger or upset at the cooks words, she simply looked off at the flames in the hearth with a resigned sigh and a simple..
"Aye.."
"Now dear, don't be upset, you ain't asking for the stars I know, and you will get all you want one day. You watch, the moment you be well enough to walk into that town, fortunes will change, you'll be able to go to them places you were talking about with Mister Maddoct, and the lad will be just a memory. Protect your heart Jacki dear, you only have one"
Jackilyn breathed out another soft sigh, the kitten long soothed into a slumber upon her lap, eventually though the woman looked back at the cook
"Are all men like this?"
"Like what lass?"
"Confusing? Complicated?"
"No dear, most be simple creatures, some as thick as a plank, some as pretty as a picture, but no, not normally this complicated. Now, finish up your drink, I'll have a spot of supper ready for you soon then I must be off home, I need to give Alys this here pipeweed for the old lass she is caring for"
