Brewer's Tale, The by Karen Brooks

I’d hidden this book, knowing that if she found the recipes, she would have had them destroyed. Never believing I was shoring up our futures, I’d thought I was preserving a beloved keepsake.
    Relief flooded me. I pressed the pages to my chest and bowed my head. The scent of marigolds, lavender, sunshine, laughter and love seemed all around me. ‘Mother,’ I whispered. It was a moment before I was able to face the others, but when I did, it was to hold the pages aloft triumphantly.
    â€˜Nothing’s wrong, Betje. Nothing.’ Adam smiled and nodded at my little sister. She grinned at him.
    â€˜Not any more,’ I agreed and swept Betje into my arms and carried her to the table and perched her upon it. She wriggled till she cleared a space.
    â€˜But Mistress Anneke … the house …’ said Saskia, only now daring to release what was in her arms. Parchment, linen and a goblet tumbled onto the table.
    â€˜It doesn’t matter,’ I laughed. ‘I was likely going to have sell most things anyway. We will make do. All that matters is that I have this.’ I clutched the small book. ‘And that we have each other.’ Looking at their faces, I beamed.
    â€˜Not Doreen,’ said Will. ‘She went with Mistress Jabben.’
    â€˜She even had the gall to offer me and Blanche a position in her house — Mistress Jabben that is.’ Saskia sniffed and raised her chin.
    I studied them, my loyal servants, my family, and my heart filled. I looked at the table, scattered with odds and ends. Karel was twirling an iron object. Will was watching me with his one good eye, his other closed completely now. Louisa’s tears had ceased and she reached for Betje and encouraged her off the table and onto her lap. Saskia appeared resigned, Blanche and Iris perplexed. All of them were looking to me, bewildered by my sudden composure after my frantic search amid what they perceived as another disaster. But this was nothing to me … if anything, it was cause for celebration.
    Hiske was gone — the last obstacle to my plans — or so I thought.
    Crossing to one of the cabinets in the corner, I shoved the books and blankets aside with my foot, opened the door and peered inside. I could sense the glances and frowns behind me, the slight apprehension that had started to fill the room.
    â€˜What are you looking for?’ asked Blanche finally. She didn’t like anyone prying in her cupboards — not even me.
    â€˜Ah, here it is,’ I said, and removed a jug of wine. Setting it on the table, I looked around. ‘Pass some goblets and mazers, would you, Iris?’
    Checking with Blanche first, who nodded brusquely, Iris made some space and lined them up.
    â€˜Adam, if you would be so kind?’ I gestured to the jug. Adam took his knife out of its sheath and knocked the wax and cork off the top.
    â€˜Shall I pour?’ he asked. I nodded.
    â€˜Mistress Anneke, begging your pardon,’ said Saskia as Adam handed her a brimming goblet, waiting until she took it before passing a mazer to Blanche. ‘But have you heard a word we’ve said?’
    â€˜Every single one, Saskia.’
    â€˜Are you sure?’ she examined my face. ‘On top of losing the house, you’ve been robbed blind and instead of demanding restitution or sending Will for the watch, you stand there with some bits of paper, flashing those dimples of yours and offering drinks around like it’s the last supper!’
    I smiled. ‘Not the last. On the contrary, it’s the first. The first supper in our house. You see, something very important happened today and I want to share it with you.’ I quickly explained what eventuated at Scales Hall and my plans. Adam, as I’d hoped, filled in the gaps and informed everyone what their duties would be over the coming weeks. As he spoke, I watched their faces. There was surprise, confusion, a little nervousness —