Kathy rode through the night, until she came to a little hovel in the countryside. Wood smoke curled unseen from the chimney, and chickens clucked softly in the coop. A dog barked as she dismounted. "Hey Buster, come here!"<br/><br/>The dog trotted up and jumped up at her. She caught it's forepaws in her hands and ruffled it's ears. The door opened a crack and an older woman looked out. "Oh, it's you. Y'd be'er be comin' i'side then."<br/><br/>Kathy smiled. "Let me see to Nightmare first?"<br/><br/>"Okay, lass. T' stable's empty since Gretchen got sent t' glue fact'ry"<br/><br/>Kathy nodded. Gretchen had been an old mare, and the news didn't come as any surprise. She led Nightmare in and rubbed her down, then gave her some fresh hay. Then she turned and headed into the cottage. "Well, I've got myself in over my head this time, I think"<br/><br/>"Oh?" The older woman raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more until Kathy had finished telling what she knew, which wasn't much, and what she suspected, which was quite a bit. Then she got up and went into the kitchen. Kathy followed, and watched as the woman made a cup of tea for them both.<br/><br/>They went back into the front room and Kathy sat in one of the big, comfy arm chairs by the fire and sipped slowly. "Thanks, mum!"<br/>