I hope you’re having fun with the adventures of Laura and her crew. Here’s another installment. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
Matthew asked to give you a brief interview:
Hello, Matthew
Hi, Ann
You grew up in a small village, in a valley, right?
Not that small. It’s maybe five hundred people. My father is the Blacksmith. He taught me and my older brother the trade, which he learned from his father. I mostly tend the fire, but sometimes I pound the iron for horseshoes so my da can take a rest. My mum, she keeps the house, along with my three younger sisters. The littlest boy is only two, so he’s more trouble than a help. I often watch him, cause we can’t have him falling into the fire.
You’ve known Laura since you were a little boy?
Yes, my father, he used to be the smithy at the Manor. My mum was the housekeeper. When her uncle took over, he thought mum was too loyal to Laura’s parents, so he brought the village blacksmith in and made da the village smithy. Mum does weaving and sells it at the market. She makes a good solid cloth.
What’s so special about Laura and David that you’d want to rescue them?
She looks right into your heart, Laura does. You can’t hide anything from her. She’s strong, too. When her life changed, she went from spoiled little rich girl to the lowest of the low. She never complained, even though people spat on her for being the witches’ daughter. She didn’t even beg. She just went from house to house asking for work until finally mum hired her to wash cloth and help with the dyeing. She worked hard, Laura did, and another woman saw that and hired her off mum. Which was a good thing, because mum couldn’t keep paying her.
And David?
He’s a lot like Laura, but lighter and easier. Course, he’s little, so that could change. You’ll see. You can’t help but love him. He knows how to get you feeling good about yourself.
It wasn’t fair what happened to them. Laura’s carrying around a world of grief and pain, but she always did have a serious way about her, as if she knew from the beginning that she’d have to figure things out for herself.
Thank you, Matthew. We’re out of time, but I’d love to chat with you again.
My pleasure.
Related articles
- The work of blacksmiths these days ranging from artistic to utilitarian (triblive.com)
- The Village Blacksmith (spreadingchestnuttree.wordpress.com)
- The Season of the Witch (smallbiz.com)