The next morning when I wake up, I have no idea where I am. At first I think I'm back in the tower but then the feeling underneath my back seems too soft. After that one thought, all the rest start flooding in and soon I remember everything that happened yesterday.

Faith's guest room. I'm in Faith's guest room.

I sit up and stare around the room. I'm sitting in a single bed with a scratchy blanket. There's small window to the right of me with a curtain draped over it. To the left is a small table that has a lamp and nothing else.

Ahead is the fireplace. The smell of burning wood is fainter now but I can still get a small whiff of it. I decide that I like the smell and should make fires more regularly.

I flop back down into bed as the door slowly creaks open and Faith peers round it.

"Awake?" she asks but I guess I wouldn't be able to answer that question if I wasn't awake. I decide to not have hard feelings for her and nod a small nod. It ends up like snuggling into the duvet.

* * *

Half an hour later, I'm washed and dressed in my dirty old dress but full with a breakfast of oats and milk.

I don't mind the simplicity of the meal because there's always the voice in the back of my mind telling me I should be grateful for what Faith has provided for me. If it hadn't been for her, I would be out on the streets fending for myself. Now that thought just makes me shudder.

For the rest of the day, I help her sort out the remaining herb piles. Then, she scoops up all of them and drops them into separate wicker baskets by the door. I wonder what we'll do with them.

"I'm going to put them away," Faith says as though she's read my mind. "Can you help me?"

I nod and she hands me a basket. Then she opens numerous drawers in the table and begins shifting through.

"Yarrow," she says sharply and holds her hand out.

I peer into the basket, confused. "Um... which one's ya—"

"This one," she replies, plucking a packet out. Inside is a small plant with little white flowers bursting from it.

"Oh, ok," I say, trying not to be embarrassed. This herb-sorting thing is new to me and I don't like making mistakes.

Well, you've already made quite a few already, Ru. I tell myself but then I don't dwell further because the thought of the Prince is all too much.

"Chew the big leaves and it gets rid of your toothache," Faith is saying when I tune back into her conversation. "There should be some leaves in there..."

She goes rummaging in my basket and I suddenly have this urge to hand it to her. If I don't know about herbs, how can I help her?

"Aha!" she exclaims and yanks a placket out. The leaves are soft and fluffy, like ferns. "Here we are! These, Ru, are yarrow leaves."

I make a mental picture of it and add the caption: Chew and cures toothache. Faith takes the packet and slips in under many others.

We carry on with the herb sorting for a while until I have a rough idea about marigolds and juniper berries and all their medical uses. But, judging by the amount of packets and herbs there actually are, learning all this won't be easy.

Then, suddenly, there's a knock on the door. Faith yells 'Come in!" and it creaks open slowly. A woman enters, smiles and lets the door shut gently.

"Yes," Faith begins briskly. "How may I help?"

"I have a burn," she says as she advances towards the table. I notice she's limping slightly and, with every step, there's a wince. "I think I need a poultice."

"Ok, let me see it."

The woman rolls up her leg up to her calf and I see a long red mark on her filthy skin. Faith leans forward to examine it.

"Oooh, alright. I have just the thing for that."

She heads to the clay cupboards and heaves one open. Then, she flicks through some packets and jars before pulling one out. It's a purple flower.

"Prunella vulgaris," she says. "Chew and apply. It will be gone within a week."

The woman nods and takes it. Then her hands rise to a leather pouch dangling around her neck. It rattles when she takes it off.

"How much?" she asks.

"Two shillings," Faith replies and the woman rummages through her purse and finds the correct amount of money. I watch it all in great earnest as Faith pockets the money and the woman leaves the shop.

"So you sell herbs?" I ask when she's gone.

She nods, closing the cabinet again. "Yes, dear. I heal people too if they need it."

Then she turns around and looks me in the eye. "Rapunzel, I've been in search of an apprentice. Many have come and gone and none have had the brains to cope with so much knowledge—"

"And you want me to have a go." I cut in. "You want me to try and be your apprentice."

She nods curtly. "Yes. We could give it a go. You never know, herbs might be your thing."

I nod too and let a little smile cross my face. "Ok mistress Faith. I'd love to give it a go."

**

I haven't updated for so long!

Anyway, how are all of you? Are you enjoying the story so far?

A xx