Alyn insisted on pushing the trolley. “I don’t want you to wear yourself out,” he said. “Gryff’s getting looked after at home. I’m not sure that you should be up and about.”
“Mrs Hewson can do anything,” Leo said.
“She shouldn’t have to do everything,” Alyn said. “But Elys is driving and there’s plenty of room in the car for groceries. Mrs Hewson, you just have to tell us what to pick up and carry. You don’t need to lift anything.”
Mari swallowed. She hadn’t had this much care since… Her thoughts trailed off. She couldn’t remember when someone thought of her comfort. “Elys said that there’ll be lots of people coming and going,” she said. “So I’m thinking that I’ll make plenty of home-made soup. The sort that sticks to your ribs. Some nice home-made bread as well, and plenty of snacks.”
“You’re an amazing cook, Mrs Hewson,” Alyn said. “And we’ll help if we can.”
“We’re good at washing up, if nothing else,” Leo added.
“You’ve got your business to run,” Mari said. “I worry about you lads.” She ran through a mental list. “I expect we could see as many as a dozen people passing through and guarding and everything,” she said. “I really can’t work out all the details. But I think it’s better to make more than I may need than less, and I can always freeze what I don’t use or find a good home for it.” She frowned. “Why do supermarkets always have the fresh stuff when you walk in? It means that the first stuff you see is squashable, especially the fruit.” She sighed. “But I have you two lads and if I need to then I can ask you to get a second trolley.” She nodded with determination. “I’ll make a big pot of church soup.”
Alyn looked at her. “What’s church soup?” he asked warily.
Mari smiled. “You may as well learn, because it’s good to be able to look after yourself. It’s a recipe that I got from church. I think it’s one of those recipes that’s been passed on so many times, with each cook adding their own twist, that it’s taken on a life of its own. My version has lots of onions, garlic, carrots, perhaps some butternut squash or swede, and potatoes to make it creamy. You add plenty of those red lentils and lots of spices.” Mari started loading up the shopping cart with onions. “Cumin and turmeric and some fresh ginger if you can get it.” She shook her head. “I never saw stuff like cumin when I was a girl. It’s amazing the things you learn. You simmer everything together and then blend it smooth. I can make baking powder rolls in half an hour but I’ll pick up some extra bread, just in case.” She added another large bag of onions. “Don’t let me forget to pick up mayonnaise.”
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Alyn looked nervous. “I’m not sure that I’ll remember this.”
“Don’t you worry, Alyn bach. I’ll make sure that it’s all sorted.” Mari looked at the mound of onions in the cart and added another bag. “I’ll make a nice pot of chilli that can stay in the fridge for a while as well.”
“I love chilli,” Leo said, taking the heavy bag of potatoes out of Mari’s hands before she could lift it properly. “Mrs Hewson, you point at things and then we will life and carry.”
“You are good lads,” Mari said. “Right, now I need some butter.”
Leo picked up the second shopping cart half way around the supermarket. “This is a big order,” he said.
“The poor checkout assistant is going to have fits,” Mari said. “We’ll have to be nice to them.” She frowned. “I’ll probably need a lot more laundry detergent. Alyn, could you pick up that big pack there for me? No, the one next to it that’s on sale.”
Alyn nestled the jug of laundry detergent into the corner of the shopping cart. “Are you sure about doing washing for us?” he asked.
“Of course I’m sure,” Mari said. “And I could do with some of those big trash bags. Pick up two rolls for now, please.”
“We’d help out anyway,” Alyn said. He laid the heavy rolls of trash bags next to the laundry detergent. “I mean, we can’t let a less young lady on her own struggle. It’s not right.”
Mari felt a lump in her throat. “Bless you for calling me less young instead of the old girl that I am,” she said. “And that’s another thing. I noticed your sleeping bags in the workshop. It’s not right that you sleep there when there are spare beds in my house. I think everyone would be safer and more comfortable if you lodge with me.”
“But you know that we’re…” Alyn looked around. “You know, not normal.”
Mari glared at him. “You’re three young lads and young enough to be my grandsons. That’s enough for me.”
“I don’t know if DC Knowles will allow that,” Alyn said.
“You leave Carwyn to me,” Mari said. She looked at the overflowing trolley. “We’ll need a third trolley for the baking supplies.”
“Mrs Hewson, have you ever bought stuff online?” Leo asked.
Mari shrugged. “I’ve ordered a few things,” she said. “But I’ve never really bothered much.”
Leo looked at the shopping and then at the approaching rows of baking products. “You know that you can buy sacks of flour online, don’t you?”
Mari looked at the overflowing carts. “That might be a good idea.”
Carwyn helped them unload the car. “You’ve bought out the store,” he grumbled.
Mari looked at him and then around at the people congregating outside the house and workshop. “I hope I have enough,” she said. “How many are around the workshop?”
Carwyn looked away. “Maybe half a dozen of Lord Maldwyn’s people and two of mine.”
“And how many are tracking dirt through my house?” Mari asked.
Carwyn winced. “People are checking on Gryff as well as keeping an eye on things,” he said.
“Hmm,” Mari said. “Alyn, can you and Leo fetch your things to the house.”
“You are not thinking of having them stay?” Carwyn said.
“I think it would be safer for everyone concerned,” Mari said.
Carwyn took her by the elbow and pulled her aside. “You can’t allow three goblins to stay under your roof,” he snapped.
Mari glared at him. “Watch me!”