[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger and Larien begin the biscuits

Ginger couldn’t help but ask. ‘What’s so different about food where you come from?’ She frowned, trying to imagine Hobbits eating anything other than, well, regular Hobbit food. ‘Shire food’s just ordinary stuff,’ she went on. ‘Chicken and taters and carrots and conies. Ham and bacon in the morning with eggs and toast. Thick soups. And lots of mushrooms. Then of course there’s the sweets . . . just enough to tuck in around the empty spaces left after a meal.’

The kitchen was soon reached, and Ginger pushed open the door, ushering Larien and her mug in the door. Cook was there, as was Ruby. Buttercup trailed in behind them, taking a tray of dirty plates and mugs to the sink.

‘This is Larien,’ Ginger said, introducing her friend all around. ‘We’ll get the biscuits going.’

Cook nodded and pointed to the pegs by the kitchen door where extra aprons hung, indicating Larien should put one on. Ginger showed her the way to the pantry and the two picked up the flour and salt and shortening and baking powder to make the dough.

They returned to one of the tables in the center of the kitchen and began measuring ingredients. ‘See those baking sheets over there, hanging on the wall,’ said Ginger. ‘Can you bring them over here and grease ‘em up and dust ‘em a little with flour so’s the biscuits won’t stick . . .’