Martin and Oden told their parents and everyone else that Jack’s barn needed fixing, and they were lending a hand. No one thought much about it. It was common in the countryside to help each other. Everyone knew that Jack had been sharing food with the family. They worked hard from morning till dinner. For dinner, Mira made fish pie and a light soup. The men had been working hard. She made a fish each. They were a few more from Jack’s catch. “Cousin, let me know if you want a free laborer. All I charge is food.” Martin laughed as he ate. Jack rolled his eyes when Mira asked “How’s Anne-Marie? Why didn’t you bring her along?” “She’s too small to know the danger.” Oden shook his head while Martin chuckled “Mom must be having a hard time with her.” “We ran away before she woke up.” By late afternoon, the sides of the hutch were successfully finished. All that was left was the top. Mira had weaved continuously for four days. She got after Jack slept and slid into space and kept weavi

Mira came out of space feeling fresh and full of life. She baked some bread experimenting with cheese and tomato on it. Some she baked with mushrooms and cheese…. She kept her fingers crossed hoping there came out all right. She made a thick creamy mushroom soup. Cream, butter and cheese were abundant with Daisy’s steady supply of milk and space to keep everything fresh. She also picked a fish from space, cleaned and kept the head and parts they didn’t eat for the dogs in space and left space. She smeared the fish with butter and spices and roasted till closer to 2 so that it would be hot and just right for Jack. Once Jack came back, they ate dinner together. Mira told him about the chicks and asked whether she should keep them in the outer shed or send them back to the coop while they were relaxing in each other’s company. Jack told her that he thought it was best they went back to the coop. Mira chattered about nonsensical things as they relaxed and then went back to work diligentl

Jack and Mira got up at the break of dawn. It was still dark outside when Jack went out to milk. Mira went to the hutch with the cages and under the cover of the dark, she entered space and called out to the rabbits. She picked 30 of the plumpest ones in each cage and walked out. She placed one cage on the ground and dragged the other to the place where Jack usually skinned them. Jack placed the milk on the kitchen table and came out wearing the apron that Mira had stitched for him earlier. The bell chimed just as Jack was about to sit to skin. Mira had placed the milk on the fire to boil. She walked over with Jack to open the door. Both Oden and Martin had arrived. Although Oden didn’t know how to skin, he could dislocate their necks. He wanted to help with whatever he could do. Soon they brothers started to work in synchrony. Oden dislocated the necks and handed the rabbits to Jack and Martin while they concentrated on skinning the rabbit neatly. Once the rabbits were skinned, Mir

Back in the shop, they sat and gossiped while Jack and Thomas discussed business and economic issues. Jack was well-read. His job at the Sleghs gave him access to update and maintain his world view. Thomas soon realized that Jack was not like your average educated free man. He had a sharp brain and clarity of thought that was perhaps even superior to his… He enjoyed the conversation and even discussed issues of his estate that he was hesitating on. Jack was open and frank with his opinion as he too liked Thomas’s straight forward personality and he didn’t want his wife to be angry. Mira told Almera about their encounter with Alina and Jason. “Shameless bitch!” Almera so angry, she really wanted to hit someone. “Do you think they will give up?” Mira looked at Almera with knitted brows. “Don’t worry about the bitch” Almera smiled “She won’t be able to escape the net we drew out for her.” “Um” “That fellow is a puzzle.” Almera pursed her lips. Jack and Thomas’s attention was drawn t

In Alina’s cottage- “What did you find out?” Jason asked anxiously. “Jack leaves the house around 5 in the morning and only comes back after 2 in the afternoon. Mira stays in the house all day.” Alina spoke in a bored tone. “Um” Jason nodded as he calculated in his head. Alina thought of Mira’s last words and wondered if they should let go of these stupid schemes and live their lives happily. She was no more in between them. Was there a need for these schemes? “Jas, why don’t we let go and live our lives? She will no longer come between us.” Alina asked hesitantly. Hope filling her heart. ‘Maybe they could …’ “What do you mean?” Jason narrowed his eyes in anger “You don’t understand, do you?” “Do you want to live like this?” Jason snarled “Waiting for handouts from your mom and that …. That… man?” “Is this even a life??” Jason sneered, his eyes rolling with disgust. “Jas, don’t be angry…. I ….I…” Alina bit her lower lip “Forget I said anything.” “Alina, dearest…” Jason sat ne