| Before Time Page 14 |
| Music : The Celts |
| He cleared his throat, and a bit of nervousness entered his voice again. ' Look it over, have a lie down, see if it suits ye. |
| A warmth suffused him. 'Tis alright Mum, we'll feed ya in the bed. ' |
| Aye, let me inspect yer work. What do ye call this Bow ?' ' They call it a mattress Mum, tis like a pallate, but doesnae rest on the floor. |
| ' Ahhhhhh a mattress is it. And why is it so soft Lad ? ' I filled it with goosedown and bits of wool. If tis too soft Mum, I'll change it to yer liking. ' |
| ' And it just lays there Bow, on the air ? |
| His merry laughter filled the room like sunshine. He wasnae sure if she was havin him on or not, but it didnae matter, He could see she was pleased. 'Nae Mum, I havenae such magic ' |
| He crossed the room to her and lifted the mattress. He exposed a latticework of leather strips. They ran the length, width and diagonal of the frame. Each place they joined the frame he had knotted them and then soaked the knots with water so they would dry taught and firm |
| 'You'll nae fall through Mum, unless ye vex me. ' Once again, the laughter would put them in an asylum, if t'were heard by a passerby. |
| 'If I have a lie down Bow, I maight nae get up fer a fortnight. |
| Fionna sat on the 'bed'.. and then laid full back on the wee cushions. ' Pillows ' he called them. They were like miniatures of the mattress. Her eyes softly closed and in her most imperious manner... stretched out her hand saying 'Houseboy, I'll have me dinner now. ' |
| Maire looked at both of them, her heart was full, her eyes plainly said ' It should have been this way for her for a lifetime ' |
| Bow too knew the feel of this moment. His voice was light but husky and he said ' Will it be white wine or red yer Ladyship ? ' |
| Fionna felt a safety, the security she had nae realized was gone for so many years. Yet she knew she must maintain the lightness or they would all collapse in tears. ' Will we be having fish or fowl ? ' |
| ' I thought mayhaps the fish, M'am, I have some very fresh salmon, and some pears I believe ' |
| Fionna spoke with the softness of the gentry. 'White it will be then . |
| Bow stood. He moved toward the hearth and selected a skillet. His hand was covered in near an instant and the soft sweet voice of Maire was in his ear. 'Let me do it Bow, ye've done so much already. I do know how ta cook Bow, ask Mum. All I need is the fish and I'll do the rest.. ' Bow was about ta protest, but he knew this meant much to Maire. '' Alright M'Lady, ye'll need ta know yer way about the 'manor' soon. Whilst yer cookin, I'll prepare the pears ' and a bit louder ''Mum can watch and tell us what we're doin wrong ' If ye need spices, anything, tell me, I'll retrieve them for ye ' She swatted his hand lightly. 'I have eyes Mr Bowman, and a fair idea where one maight put spices ' |
| He made a mournful sound then turned to Fionna 'Aye, she struck me, wounded me fierce she did '. |
| If one thought could occupy two minds, so it was with Maire and Fionna ' Where have ye been, and why did it take so long ? ' |
| Whilst Maire prepared the skillet for the fish, Bow sat at the table and sliced the pears. When they met his satisfaction, he put them in a small bowl with some mint and white wine. He would let them absorb the flavors whilst the fish was being cooked. |
| Fionna watched and mused as the two prepared for the evening meal. ' Bow, I can see the fish is very fresh. When did ye have time to catch it ? ' ' Ahhh well, I must confess I didnae catch this batch. I bought it on me trip ta the carter. A fella in the village is an expert at the fishing. His fish is always fresh Mum, as it sells so fast. T'was me hope ye and Maire would like it, for I dearly do ' |
| 'We havenae had it as much as we maight wish, Bow, but aye, tis a treat ta the tongue and innards. And aye, Maire is a good cook. Ye'll nae suffer atall. She made the finest meals from the least ingredients.' |
| Maire was listening, and blushed at that last. ' Mummy donnae brag so. I may be a disappointment ' Still, she smiled her own smile of secret joy ' It will be this way always ' she vowed to herself. |
| Bow, who seemed never to rest until he fell asleep against his will, began to set plates and bowls on the table. He turned to Fionna with a smile and wink. 'We'll eat tagether M'um, at a table, like a proper family. |