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piosenniel · 11-06-2003, 03:44 AM

Big Tom's new customer

It was later that morning that Big Tom came tramping back to the farm. Will and the others had been sent out to the sty and pig barn, to look after the pigs, while Letty worked in her garden. She was just hoeing a little furrow between the rows of bush beans when she saw her husband’s familiar figure turn up the path to the barn. Standing up straight, she eased the crick out of her back, and shaded her eyes from the sun.

‘Curious!’ she murmured to herself. ‘Someone is with him!’ She didn’t recognize the man, but noted that his hair was long, riding his shoulders, and ragged along the bottom edge. His clothes were a little the worse for wear, and along the edges of his jaws and chin was the beginning of a scraggly beard. Letty saw him hand her husband something, and in turn Tom put a string of smoked sausages round the man’s neck, and a ham into his waiting hands.

As they talked, Letty noted the man’s eyes darted here and there, taking in the various areas of the farm and house. Once, his gaze fell on her for a few moments, and she felt a sudden chill creep up her spine. She hung back in the garden, not wanting to make any sort of contact with the stranger.

‘Who was that?’ she demanded as Big Tom walked up the path to her. His hand was in his breeches’ pocket and she could hear the sound of coins clinking together as he fingered them.

‘Naught you need worry about,’ he told her, drawing a ladle of cool water from the bucket she had near her in the garden for watering the smaller plants. Tom sipped at the refreshing liquid, his eyes following the retreating figure of the man. ‘New customer,’ he said, returning the empty ladle to the bucket. ‘Name of Gareth. Nice fellow. Says he know others what will be glad to buy our hams and sausage and even a few of your fresh vegetables.’

Letty’s hand tightened around the handle of her hoe. Her lips pressed together in a thin line as she watched the stranger’s slow amble down the road. ‘No one’s getting my vegetables, excepting our family,’ she said firmly to her husband. ‘And especially not the likes of him . . .!’

[ November 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-06-2003, 03:44 AM	#136
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Big Tom's new customer It was later that morning that Big Tom came tramping back to the farm. Will and the others had been sent out to the sty and pig barn, to look after the pigs, while Letty worked in her garden. She was just hoeing a little furrow between the rows of bush beans when she saw her husband’s familiar figure turn up the path to the barn. Standing up straight, she eased the crick out of her back, and shaded her eyes from the sun. ‘Curious!’ she murmured to herself. ‘Someone is with him!’ She didn’t recognize the man, but noted that his hair was long, riding his shoulders, and ragged along the bottom edge. His clothes were a little the worse for wear, and along the edges of his jaws and chin was the beginning of a scraggly beard. Letty saw him hand her husband something, and in turn Tom put a string of smoked sausages round the man’s neck, and a ham into his waiting hands. As they talked, Letty noted the man’s eyes darted here and there, taking in the various areas of the farm and house. Once, his gaze fell on her for a few moments, and she felt a sudden chill creep up her spine. She hung back in the garden, not wanting to make any sort of contact with the stranger. ‘Who was that?’ she demanded as Big Tom walked up the path to her. His hand was in his breeches’ pocket and she could hear the sound of coins clinking together as he fingered them. ‘Naught you need worry about,’ he told her, drawing a ladle of cool water from the bucket she had near her in the garden for watering the smaller plants. Tom sipped at the refreshing liquid, his eyes following the retreating figure of the man. ‘New customer,’ he said, returning the empty ladle to the bucket. ‘Name of Gareth. Nice fellow. Says he know others what will be glad to buy our hams and sausage and even a few of your fresh vegetables.’ Letty’s hand tightened around the handle of her hoe. Her lips pressed together in a thin line as she watched the stranger’s slow amble down the road. ‘No one’s getting my vegetables, excepting our family,’ she said firmly to her husband. ‘And especially not the likes of him . . .!’ [ November 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.