Let Down

So we had a surprise visitor this morning! The very lovely Ms. Anne Thrope arrived in time for morning coffee with Dear Daniel and me – visitors are always welcome, of course. But when I asked what occasioned the happy surprise (I figured she was here to see the progress on her gown for next month’s show down south), she didn’t look so happy.

In fact, she looked like she’d been up all night upset about something. Turns out she had been up all night, upset. She’d talked to Daniel last night and heard how excited I was about finding the faerie ring of spools*.  Then she said she owed me an apology. And sat down in the chair by the portrait of Jackie and turned the color of ripe peaches**, and started to cry.

So.