Down in the Forest Something Stirred

Down in the Forest...3

Hanna at last got her bath. It was in a barrel, the water was none too hot and there was no soap. The forest way was, apparently every body's way, unless of course you were quite rich.

But the kitchen was hers, and she loved it.

The simple life, no endless meetings, phones calls, or dealing with Flaisy’s schemes, just her and her culinary ingenuity. Hanna was back in control of something at last.

After five days she was happily trying out stir fry’s on the bemused, but well fed nuns. There had even been an earnest discussion as to whether it was right that their food taste so good. Was it not a sin to enjoy such earthly pleasures?

The abbess had the final word.

"No, it is permissible to enjoy food.”

It was official, nice food…was not a sin.

Hanna was busy chopping and dicing the ingredients for her now renowned 'Veggie Pottage'. She felt particularly satisfied, She was now installed in what was beginning to look like the perfect rustic kitchen. Every surface covered in fresh garden produce, earthen jars, pots and heavy blackened pans. A huge Ham drenched in cider was baking in the clay oven. Bread dough was 'proving' nicely on top. The glorious aroma of decent cooking drifted about the abbey; all it lacked was a couple of electrical gadgets, and possibly the odd copy of Jamie or Nigella.

Too good to be true?

Of course it was!

"This is not where I imagined I would find my water nymph."

The familiar laughing voice made her start, and she cut herself with the only sharp knife she had. "Shit!" She turned, sucking her wounded thumb.

"Ah, but it is good that you stay true to your nature, even in this sacred place" Robin was leaning in the doorway, grinning at her.

"It's a kitchen, not exactly hallowed ground" Hanna was trying to be angry with him, but he did make it hard, however much cheek he had to turn up like this.

"Oh but this one is sacred." He sniffed the air with relish.. "The scents of your cooking are heavenly indeed." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I don't suppose you would consider taking Much as a pupil?"

In spite of herself Hanna laughed. "I think he would feel I was an improper person to teach him anything."

How did he manage to make her feel like forgiving him? She wanted to be furious, but it just wasn't there anymore. Turning back to her chopping, she was determined not to let him rile her. Remain in control, was all she had to remember.

"The nun's garb does you no justice Lady. Too heavy, to concealing, though I am pleased you have forgone the veil."

He had moved silently, and was behind her now, hands snaking around her hips.

"Hands off Bat boy remember how you left me? I have a very big knife in my hand this time"

"Hmmm?" He slid his hands around to her belly and stroked the curve of it, almost as if he hadn't heard. Leaning down he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Why Bat boy?" He sounded petulant. “Boy Wonder I understand for I am, a wonder, but I am no bat!"

Laying down the knife she sighed. He was impossible, what could she do? "Where I come from there are stories of a man who rights wrongs and fights evil. His name was Batman; he had an assistant called Robin. In the stories Robin is often referred to as Bat Boy or Boy Wonder. It's a joke. It amuses me and I-do-so-liked-to- be-amused" Hanna enunciated the words carefully.