“Took you long enough,” complained George.
“It’s been a long time since I had a proper bath,” said Thomas.
“Aye, we noticed,” said Eileen, smiling to take the sting from the words. “You smell much better now.”
Thomas smiled back. “I’m sure I do.”
“So what do we want to do at the fair?” asked George. “There’s races and archery this morning.”
“First, we make sure Timothy is all right,” said Thomas. “Then we should find the Reeve and tell him what happened. Is it still old Bluster?”
“Aye,” George grinned. “It will probably make his day. He’s had nothing to deal with but the occasional tavern brawl for years.”
Timothy was on his stage, looking none the worse for the night’s adventures and imbibing. He spotted them as they passed by and gave them a jaunty wave with one foot—he was standi
