The doughy smell of freshly cooked bread filled the air. No matter where I travel, that smell always brings me home, and for one reason I was down the Wards so early. I tried to make it just as the bakeries were taking out their first batches. It made the crisp winter morning snap and come to life as if all the grey washed away with cheerful colours. The air smelled rich and pleasant, warmer than it should, and it brought a smile to my face.

Lanterns were lit and shop windows glowed, like small portals of light to their wares. People all around darted about. Two women pulled rolls of coloured linen out on large reels. Stretching different colours over horizontal stands, creating a rainbow of cloth on the streets. A large middle age man, with arms like anvils, carried crates of fruit and vegetables, stacking them in 2ft tall towers under his shop window.

Wooden shutters on windows creaked open, and doors slammed. Voices carried across all the excitement, hollering orders at one another as people moved about their business. For all the commotion, the Wards was a well run and friendly place. The city felt alive.

I felt a sharp pain in my side, and my legs turned to jelly. I pushed down on my cane to steady myself, but I didn’t have the strength. My legs buckled, and I hit the beaten cobbled floor with a thud. My arm took most of the impact from the fall and now felt as numb as a harlot’s bits after a full night’s work.

“Oi, you lot, what ya think ya playing at.” A thick voice boomed as the large man that had just been putting his fruit and vegetable out, came walking over and heading towards three young ones.

I winced as I sat upright, my head was a little foggy, my left arm was numb and my shoulder stung, but I wasn’t too hurt. The grocery keeper had one young one by the scruff of the neck. Two more stood a few yards away like status, wide eyed, staring at their friend.

“What do you think you are playing at, you nearly killed that old man? What are you doing down here so early anyway, up to no good are you?”

“Wait! wait!” I hollowed, struggling back to my feet. “It was just an accident. It seems I wasn’t fast enough to get out of the way of these three. Like lightning they were, didn’t even see them coming.”

The young one, gripped in the vice of the grocery keeper gave out a scared chuckle, causing the grocery keeper to snort and the snarl, lifting him up off the floor and pulling him closer in, staring eye to eye, the thinnest of paper, not fitting between them.

My stomach knotted. Surely he wouldn’t hurt the young one. They couldn’t be much older than ten or twelve. They’d only been having some fun, obviously they hadn’t seen me on their tear through the city. The knots slid apart as the grocery keeper lowered the young one to the ground.

“Be off, all of you now, I don’t want to see one of you around this part of town for the rest of the week. Do you understand me?”

Three heads all started nodding together. They stayed there, rooted to the spot, just nodding. Me and the grocery keeper shared a glance of astonishment.

“Well, go on then, scram, now!”

With that the three nodding statues pelted off, one knocking an empty barrel over, staring in shock at the grocery keeper then racing off, round a corner at full speed.

“I think you scared the life out of them.” I said to the grocery keeper, trying to get back up on my feet.

“Here, let me help! One of them has more energy than you and I put together. They need slowing down now and then. The names Benack, come sit for a few moments, Jezzery is sure to have a hot brew going out back.”

Benack helped me to my feet and I don’t mind admitting, half carried me over to his small shop we’re sure enough, Jezzery a fiery-haired dot of a woman was just brewing up a steaming hot pot of coffee.

“Put out another mug will ya love, me pal here has just taken a little tumble outside. A little something to warm him up is all he needs.” Benack said, helping me into a chair near a hot stove and the back of his shop. A small girl with hair like Jezzerys played happily in one corner.

“Aye hun, and I think we have some honey up top if you wouldn’t mind, me love.” Jezzery said, pointing to a top shelf behind Benack.

“Well, hum, W. W…” Benack stuttered his words, but a soft smile from Jezzery relaxed him into a contented smile and he nodded his head, mimicking the three young ones from earlier.

“Yes, I think we do, always better to share my old pops used to say.”

He passed the honey to Jezzery, who replied with a knowing stare, and poured the coffee. Benack bowed his head slightly.

“I think two spoons for you, my dear, put a bit of colour back in those cheeks.” Jezzery said.

“I think I’ll have two myself love, you know, a bit of fuel for the day ahead.”

“You’ll have one, like you always do. Anyway, customers out front, hop to it, before they have away with all our stock.” Jezzery said, flicking her hand towards the front of the shop, ushering Benack away.

Benack’s face dropped, and he turned away, a moment later his voice carrying through as he haggled a price with some customers.

I saw Jezzery put two large spoonfuls of honey in a large cup for myself and two more in another cup she placed to one side. She gave me a knowing wink and passed the drink over.

“So what happened to you, my dear, you look a little shaken up.” Jezzery asked.

I was feeling my age, helpless and needy, but I wasn’t about to let it show. Seventy winters I have seen. A little tumble would not stop me.

“Just a little tumble, nothing to worry about. Young ones caught me off guard is all. A few minutes sit down and I’ll be fine. I tipped my head and smiled in appreciation for the coffee, Jezzery waving away my thanks with the back of her hand..”

“The world these days is too slow for them. We have two ourselves, not young anymore. Both up and married with young ones of their own. That’s Kaleb’s little girl in the corner, Kelsey. Apple of her grandad’s eye, that one. I miss them, Benack would have us all living under the same roof if he could. Big soft one at heart he is.”

“What’s that love.” Benack said, coming back through and grabbing his mug of coffee.

“Just telling your friend here about Kaleb and Seb.”

“Yes, two strapping young men. Seb has his own shop, other side of town. Went into the meat trade, said there is more coin in steaks and chops than potatoes and apples. Kaleb, he’s in the imperial guard. Posted at Ward’s barracks, thinks he has a good chance of making captain before the end of the year.” Benack said, his chest puffing out as he spoke.

“A captain, now that is something to be proud of, few people have what it takes to rise so far up the ranks. Kaleb, you say, I’m heading down there myself. I will keep an eye out for him. Let him know what a good father he has.”

Benack beamed from ear to ear. Finishing his coffee off in one swig. “You do that. No rest for us traders, though. Got to make a living after all. Feel free to take as much time as you need.”

With that, Benack headed out the front, with more energy and urgency than he had a few moments ago.

“He’s a good man.” Jezzery smiled.

“I would have to agree with you there. Thanks again for the coffee, Jezzery. But as Benack says, though, I have things to do myself, must get on.”

My head had cleared, and I was feeling much better apart from my arm, which felt like a tender piece of steak. Just adjusting it caused my skin to flare and sting as the tenderness pressed against my clothes. I wouldn’t be using it for a while.

I gritted my teeth as I rose from the chair and held my cane in the other hand. Not much use, as it was used to support the other leg. Still, I had things to do. I forced a smile and nodded my appreciation again, before heading out the back and down towards the barracks.