LONDON CALLING

"Thanks to you both," Robert said. "You went on a difficult mission and then you both stepped right back in and fixed a great breakfast for all of us. It was much needed and very much appreciated. I'm going to send a message to Paris and have them take over the chores here and over at Brian's. You lot all deserve a day off from that." He watched Jess go to restock the pocket kits.

"Thanks, Jess. I'm glad you're on top of our supplies. What would i do without you?" Robert asked, glad she was always aware of what they had and what they were short of.

"I could use a hand sometime today when either Jack or Jessie get free, if they'd help me. I have a project in my studio over at Brian's that's ready to come over here for as long as we're here," Kate said.

"What sort of project?" Robert asked.

"I've been growing a little enchanted potted tree for indoors for Fudge. It looks like the tree on Bowtruckle Island, but it's obviously quite a bit smaller. And I've been working on a way to formulate food for bowtruckles so we don't need to go catch bugs for him. He'll have a home of his own. That doesn't mean he isn't still going to need us but he'll not have to live in the barn anymore. We can put the tree in the house near a window, and he'll be quite happy, I should think. The tree is heavier than I can manage by myself, though. It's at least 4 stone, maybe closer to 4 1/2."

"How about you and I take a short walk, Ruby, and I'll show you the easiest way to get to that spot?" Kate asked her.

"Thank you," she smiled. "Fudge will certainly appreciate it, and so do I. Let's go soon then so you're not late for your shift."

"Take your time, Jessie," Brian said. "We've got Paris folks coming to fill in so enjoy the day. Alright, Edward and I will be back as soon as we can. Coming, Jack?" He and Edward motioned to Jack come along with them to Tuscany.

"A little extra time in your pocket would be all he would ever want," Kate smiled. "How about we do that just as soon as Jessie and I get back from my studio."

"Did I hear correctly that you and Angus were talking about stained glass?" Robert asked. "You should go sometime and take a look at Kate's studio to see if there's something there that you like. She has several upright bins of stained glass pieces that have never been sold or found a home anywhere. Maybe you'll either see something you like or some inspiration. All the stained glass in the ceiling and the windows of the library tower here are things she's done."

"You are not under any obligation whatsoever to use any of my pieces, Ruby," Kate laughed. "He's just very biased. I'm ready whenever you are, Jessie."

Brian took Edward and Jack and went to Tuscany, and Kate took Jessie to Brian's estate to the glass building that was her studio. It looked very much like a greenhouse, but instead of plants, it held all manner of art projects, some completed and some that were somewhere in process. There were paintings of all sorts leaning against one wall, with some in standing bins. She had a couple of easels that had projects on them, rolling carts with paints and brushes and solvents.


There was a station for glass work--blowing glass and stained glass. And there was a shelf for completed blown glass art pieces in all sorts of bright colors, and standing racks for completed stained glass windows and window inserts.

There was her pottery wheel, her kiln, buckets of clay, a workbench with tools for sculpting, and shelves of mugs and dishes and other pieces that were completed but had nowhere to go.

There was another station for textile sculpting and a large floor loom for weaving large pieces whether they were art pieces or large carpets and rugs. Kate liked it all. When sunlight streamed through the studio, all the art pieces seemed to light up the room in an endless kaleidoscope of rainbow colors.

"I really should get some of these pieces out and take them and put them on consignment somewhere," Kate sighed. "A lot of these pieces I made just because I had the inspiration, and now they're stacking up. Anyway, the tree is over here."

Over on the south side of the room was a potted tree that stood a little under five foot tall. She had used techniques similar to bonsai growing to shape the tree, and it did look very much like the tree on bowtruckle island.

"What do you think?" Kate asked Jessie. "Do you think Fudge will like it?"

"Thank you. It's my little sanctuary. Abbey has been after me to get her a little easel her size so she can come out here with me and paint when I'm working out here. I just haven't gotten around to it." She watched him walk over to the tree and pick it up as if it were no weight at all.

"I couldn't begin to pick that up. I'm glad it's no effort for you, though. As long as the tree gets plenty of sunlight, anywhere is fine. But I do like your idea of the kitchen because there is always someone in there, it seems," Kate said. "He would be a lot less lonely if he were in a high traffic area, I think. And he seems to like Abbey. They've only just met, but he seems to understand she's just a baby, and he has all sorts of patience with her."

Khaat was going to make a fresh pot of coffee when she heard Ruby thinking out loud about salmon for dinner.

"I think salmon is a fine choice," khaat said. "It's a favorite with this crowd. Maybe I can get Michael to make his quinoa pilaf. It's very much like a rice pilaf, but make with quinoa instead. And, there are some huge advantages to quinoa. It is insanely nutritious. Any nutritional benefit you get from rice is at least doubled and much more fiber benefit by just using quinoa instead. It's half the calories and half the carbs of rice too. Brian and I first had it in Colorado, and we brought a big bag back, and Michael and Angus went absolutely for awhile nuts experimenting with it. They've made it like oatmeal for breakfast and even like rice pudding for dessert. Lately Michael has been working on his own version of a cheesy quinoa risotto."

"Oh, I did hear my mother say just yesterday that she got a big bag of key limes in from a friend in Florida and she was going to have to use them up while they were good and fresh. Maybe we can get her or Michael to make some key lime pie or key lime tarts for dessert, if you're open to ideas."

"I'll do the apparating back, shall I?" Kate asked, taking hold of Jessie so he didn't have to try to carry the tree and apparate both.
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"If you like lime, you'll like key lime. They're smaller than regular limes, and they're a little lighter in color, so they're a bit sweeter. A genuine key lime pie actually looks very much like a lemon pie. They're both yellowish in color. Some people add green food coloring to try to make it look more like what they think people expect in a lime, but the natural color of a key lime pie is a light yellow color. And, you're right, a good vanilla ice cream would be just the perfect partner for it."

"Who's a perfect partner?" Michael asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Not a who," Khaat said. "A what. Ruby is going to make salmon for supper tonight. Could you make your quinoa pilaf?"

"Absolutely," Michael said. "That would be perfect."

"And my mother got a big bag of fresh key limes. Do you know how to do a key lime pie or a key lime tart? She doesn't want them to go bad."

"Oh, yes, she did mention that to me. Leave that to me. I can do that. Not a problem. And did you say you were looking for a picnic lunch for you and Angus, Ruby? If you don't have a menu in mind, why don't you let me put together a more sophisticated version of a ploughmans for you two? Something a little rustic and elegant that you can just take your time and nibble at and relax? It won't take me long at all."

"She's taking him out to Remus's spot," Khaat said.

"Perfect. Khaat, why don't you have someone put up that big double hammock of your mothers? That's the perfect spot for it. They could spend as much time as they like there."

"I could do that," Khaat said. "Brian said Owens is sending some men here and over to the estate to do the barn chores at both properties today. I could have them set out the hammock and maybe a large blanket and some pillows on the ground near the spring."