[piosenniel]

Iris

Now it was Iris’ turn to scold herself. He didn’t seem the rude clodhopper she’d first thought him when she’d looked up to see him eyeballing her.

Stars above! She glanced down at the crumbles of garden dirt still clinging to the hem of her skirt. Gathering it up a bit she noted the smudges on her knees and the faint dusting of soil along her shins. And her hands, they were grimy with dirt despite her having brushed them together before she’d stood up. Not a wonder he’d gawked! What a sight she must be!! Lucky you didn’t scare the poor fellow!!

Replacing the earlier scowl with what she hoped was a friendly, though not overly encouraging smile, Iris sailed past Tolly, nodding her head somewhat as she did so.

‘It’s Mistress Puddifoot,’ she said, turning to face him as he entered the kitchen after her. ‘Iris Puddifoot.’ She pulled her handkerchief out of her apron pocket and wiped off as much dirt from her hands as she could.

Iris let her gaze drift round the kitchen. It seemed somewhat bedraggled. No wonder the garden is in such a sad state! she tsk’d to herself.

‘Where’s the Cook?’ she wondered aloud. ‘Be glad to lend her a hand with the garden while I’m here.’