From: Haymaker Family Haymaker Farmhouse Brightwood To: Sara Haymaker Firstfall Dated: 14.03.2023 Delivered: 17.03.2023

Hello little one,

That truly sounds like an amazing experience. To be able to hear a [Siren’s song], without the threat of being drowned and eaten almost makes even us homebodies want to travel. Even if the journey sounds otherwise deeply unpleasant.

Nothing much has changed on the Homefront. Mister Hacker has calmed down some, apparently his son sent a letter and the boy actually likes being in the army!! He claims he has been promoted to corporal and now we have to endure his old man strutting about telling everyone about his son “The officer”. It is a bit strange though. We know that the village kids were kept together as a single training battalion in the 2nd army, so they should only be selecting sergeants and corporals in a couple of months time. So either the kid is lying or he really has a knack for soldiering. We sent a letter to your old friend Milly, to find out what is going on. It seems a bit frivolous, but we are curious now.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Other than that, your brother seems a bit more selective with his choice of companions lately. I (Mum) think he might actually start “dating” someone, specifically Carala, the Miller family’s second daughter. I (Dad) think that’s complete nonsense, he is just realising he is getting a bit of a reputation around town. But then again he has become quite responsible about his work, so maybe he thinks getting more serious about romance is part of that. We hope not, there is nothing that makes you feel more old and decrepit than your kids becoming all respectable community members. Luckily we still have you to keep us young. But do try to wheedle the truth out of your brother. We have money riding on it now.

With love and affection for our wayward wildly irresponsible child that spends hours “talking” to a Siren.

Mum and Dad