Martin saw Mira packing the rest of the meat buns into two sets in fresh coarse linen. One pack had two and the other had seven. He was more curious as he saw her lunging a basket in an unsuccessful attempt before asking Jack to carry it. But he didn’t ask. It wasn’t his place to ask. “We have to remember to get things from the supply shop.” Mira chatted as they walked “Everything is almost over.” “Um” “Oh… and that…. and this…. and ….” Mira kept chattering all the way and Jack acknowledging. Martin was amused by their interaction and didn’t pay attention to the path. “Oh… no…. we walked to my place…” He cried in horror as he realized that he was standing in front of his house. Mira giggled while Jack raised his eyebrows in disdain as if he was looking at an idiot. “I am coming with you to pick the animals.” Martin pursed his lips stubbornly refusing to enter the house, thinking the black hearted couple were going to leave him here. “Who said you weren’t?” Jack twisted his lips

Jack milked the cows before setting off to work. He drank a glass of milk and ate bread, leaving the house a little earlier than he usually did. Mira had given him a jug to give at his aunt’s place before going to work. Mira sat at her desk working on the pattern she had in her mind. She had finished the top yesterday. It was a floral pattern with the reflective parts making the petals of a fully open flower that were lined with the copper thread and a beautiful half-closed flower shaded with the brilliant, red and copper thread. The vines were done with olive green and this pattern extended from the neckline to slightly below the bust. The waist was left plain creating an illusion of a full bust and thin waist. The skirt was patterned to be a fully rounded skirt and the embroidery covering every inch. Jack’s day was not any different to his usual routine. Just as he was about to get off work, the supervisor informed him that there was an aggrieved woman anxiously looking for him. Ja

“I need space.” The minute Mira thought about it, she was pulled in. She looked around. Even though it was dark outside, the space here was well lit up, bright as day. She walked around calling out “Anybody here?” “Anyone home?” “Does this place belong to anyone?” “Does anyone know how I got here?” Only silence greeted her; Mira sat down pouting. “This is your space.” She heard a faint whisper once she quieted down. Mira raised her head and looked up. She was an apparition of an elderly woman. “You…. you… a ghost?” Mira asked in fear. “Ghost??” The elderly woman laughed “I wouldn’t know.” “Who are you?” Mira asked once her heart calmed. “I am one of the guardians of time and space.” “How?? I???” Mira lowered her head. She knew but she didn’t know… “You are not meant to be here. You and I know that.” The old lady chuckled. “Are you here to take me back?” Mira asked in a low voice; sadness clouding her heart. She didn’t live long with Jack… she wanted to grow old with him…

They rushed back; Mira washed the furs clean while Jack watered the plants. Just like before, Mira flung it into space. “Husband, would the supply shop have alum?” Mira asked as they walked to go to her parents’ place. “What’s alum?” Jack had never heard of it. “It’s like a white powder that is used for …” Mira thought for a while before saying, “cleaning fur.” She pouted and muttered “That the only use I know.” “Don’t know.” Jack shrugged “Joe usually has a bit everything.” “Can we take a quick look?” “Um” Strangely, Joe did have it. She bought a small bag of salt and alum. Each cost 10 silver pieces each. Joe only had a bag of Alum; Let’s just say it was not a popular item in their countryside. They set off to Mira’s parents place as soon as they finished at Joe’s. This time, they took a carriage ride as they were both tired. 10 silver pieces poorer! “Mom, dad, we are here” Mira announced as they entered. “Come… come…” Matthew was always happy to see his little girl. “Dad,

Mira finished mixing and started to rub the furs in the water mixed with powders. “Can you bring the wooden spoon you made?” Jack bought it out for her to look. Mira touched the edges to make sure it was smooth without a single bristle sticking out. “Here, stir the one we did in the morning.” Mira handed him the spoon. “Hubby make a small cage for them so that they can untie and store the rabbits.” Mira felt sorry for the little guys that were staring at her. “Um” Mira went inside to prepare the meat. She smeared it spices and butter like she did yesterday. Looking at the rabbit, she had an idea. She quickly boiled some potatoes. While the potato was getting boiled, she quickly cut some onions and put them in the spider pan to fry; She looked around and entered space after confirming no one was around. She quickly picked some of the mushrooms she stored earlier and came out after carefully looking around. She chopped the mushrooms and fried it. She mixed this with some of the nut