I took Mrs O'Reilly's advice. As soon as it was light, I got up, gave Mother her dose, and started packing up the stock. The basket wouldn't cut it today. It had to look large and impressive.

I took three empty wooden crates, from the greengrocer's, and started packing. Fresh bread, jam, the woven baskets filled with wildflowers, a dozen paper dolls, a score of tiny recipe books, and any number of herb jars and bags of homemade fudge.

Taking the last of the money I owned, and storing it in a paper bag, I stacked the crates on top of each other, and immediately discovered a problem.

It was nearly impossible to carry the crates. I had known they would be heavy to lift and I would need a cart, but I didn't expect them to be this heavy! Trying my hardest to lift the stack, the top crate wobbled dangerously and crashed into the table. Thankfully, only a few fudge pieces were squashed in their bags.

I was really stuck and scared. If I didn't make it to the Aldare market in time, I might lose Mother.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar clip-clop of hooves, and I sprinted outside. It was Sean. He often did transport jobs with his cart and pony, who was called Chestnut, but he didn't do anything for you without a hefty payment and additional tip.

But, he was my only option.

"Sean, Sean! Where are you going now?"

"I'm heading to the north on a large delivery job. There's almost no room in the cart."

"Do you happen to be going through Aldare? Or even near it? I'm trying to get to the market for mid morning," I pleaded.

"I am, but you'll need to give me ten pence for it."

"Really? It's only two miles, three pence is reasonable."

"Seven is my lowest."

"Could you do five?" I checked in my pouch, I had seven. I needed to keep some on me in case I needed food.

"Six and it's a deal."

"Fine," I huffed. I hope I don't get hungry.

I ran inside the cottage again, said goodbye to Mother, and carefully brought each crate out to Sean one at a time. I crawled into the little space that was left, and before I knew it, I was off to Aldare.

A single magpie was pecking in the grass when I left, and when I looked back, it squawked at me ominously and flew away.