A line of children filed out through the doorway. Some twisted their hands in their skirts or pockets while their eyes guiltily avoided making contact. Others bashfully smiled at the trio as they approached. The young tot that Jess had spotted before giggled with delight at the new game. He looked no more than two, perhaps three years of age, and joined them jumping and bouncing along with both his hands firmly held by the elder children.

Once in a straight row, or at least a snaking line, Jess could see that there were sixteen of them altogether. Their ages ranged from the tiny tot to the eldest girl who looked to be ten or eleven at most. Their clothes were worn and faded and all of them looked to be wearing hand-me-downs, but they were well groomed, and the clothing wasn’t ‘tatty’ with rips or tears. They were clearly well cared for.

“Our guest this morning is Miss Jess…” Aunt Patty trailed off, looking to Jess to finish the sentence.

“Miss Jessica Harper,” Jess politely finished, giving the children a warm smile.

Most of the children reflexively answered in unison. “Good morning, Miss Harper.”

The words came out in a sing-song way that set Jess’s teeth on edge. She’d never enjoyed speaking in front of school assemblies. Classrooms were one thing, but speaking in front of an entire year group? At length? With other professional adults lining the room and silently judging her oracy skills? No thank you.

One of the younger boys was the first to break rank. “You’re the lady that killed the slimes!”

Despite herself, Jess flushed a little. It seemed as though people believed this was a much bigger deal than she had thought they would. “Yeah. That’s me.”

That small admission chipped away at what little resolve the children had remaining and suddenly the flood gates were opened.

“How did you do it?” “Were you scared?” “What other monsters can you fight?” “Are you magic?” “Did the adventurers show you how?” “Can we come help?” “Did Nevin really kill one too?”

With raised palms to try to stem the flood of questions, Jess gave an anxious grin as she looked to Aunt Patty for guidance. After all, the stalwart Aunt was Captain of this crew, and she seemed to run a tight ship. Unfortunately for Jess, all that she gained was an amused expression and radio silence. Jess didn't doubt that she was currently being tested.

"Come sit first." Jess motioned for the children to settle down and they obediently sat themselves in a rough semi-circle.

"Now then," she said, "hand in the air if you have a question." A forest of hands shot up immediately. She stuck closely to the truth when answering, adding little embellishment. Any questions about joining her on slime hunting expeditions were carefully misdirected. "That's a conversation that needs to happen between myself and Aunt Patty."

Eventually, the questions became more vague as the children struggled to think of more to ask. "What's your favourite colour?" was followed by "What's your favourite animal?" and Jess decided to call it a day.

"You are such good questioners!" she said, "but I think I need some time to rest after giving so many answers."

"I think that would be wise," added Aunt Patty. "Nevin, be a dear and escort the children into the playroom."

"Yes, Aunt Patty," he said, standing.

The children were quick to leap up and they swarmed the boy, pulling excitedly at Nevin as he led them outside. Jess hadn’t expected Nevin to be so good with younger children. She wasn’t sure if he would be haughty and aloof, or awkwardly uncomfortable around the exuberant cherubs, but either way, the confident way that he had sat the toddler on his hip and nodded along to the chatter of the older ones was a pleasant surprise.

The eldest girl turned back before she left. "Thank you, Miss Harper." She gave a quick curtsey before scurrying to catch up with the others. It warmed Jess's heart and she realised how much she missed having a classroom of her own. Teaching ate some people alive; the job was demanding, stressful and time consuming. For Jess, the kids were worth it. They also had the added benefit of being incredibly entertaining.

When Jess turned back to Aunt Patty, the elderly lady’s sharpness had softened a little.

"I didn't expect Nevin to be so good with them," Jess admitted.

“It hasn’t been long since he lived here,” said Aunt Patty. Her knitting resumed but her eyes stayed firmly focused on Jess. “He has always been a good boy.”

“When did he become an apprentice to the alchemists?” Jess asked.

A glint of sharpness flashed in Aunt Patty’s eyes, but the rhythmic clacking of the needles never wavered. “Two summers ago.”

“When did Master Darkhault decide that Nevin should wait in that ridiculous hut in the woods for adventurers?” asked Jess. His posting had niggled at her since the moment she realised that he wasn’t only there on the day of their meeting, but almost every day. On his own. A boy.

Aunt Patty's knitting paused for a moment. “Almost two summers ago.”

Jess’s lip curled and her nose wrinkled in distaste. What an arsehole to write him off just like that!

“I share your sentiment on this matter. There were a few choice words that I shared with that Master Darkhault,” Aunt Patty said.

“Why does he put up with it? Nevin, I mean,” asked Jess. “Strapping lad. Well mannered. Surely there’s plenty of other places he could apprentice?”

“None that he wishes for.”

“What about his parents? What do they think about all this?” Jess asked, keeping an eye on the door in case any of the children returned. Their current conversation was straying precariously close to being outright gossip, regardless of whether it was in Nevin’s best interests. In her experience, the littlest mouths seemed to be the loudest when broadcasting either secrets or overheard gossiping.

Aunt Patty's shoulders sunk and she gave Jess a sad smile.

"Ah," said Jess, "you're everyone's Aunt Patty, aren't you?" The woman nodded.

Jess remembered the sign on the door. "Are you Miss Pettigrew then?"

"Good grief, no," Aunt Patty replied quickly. "Patricia Pettigrew. Could you imagine? No. Ms Amelia Pettigrew is elsewhere."

Jess smiled. "You help run the orphanage though?"

"Indeed."

"Do the children here receive any schooling?" Jess asked.

"How could they? Where would we get the coin for such a thing?" Aunt Patty replied flatly.

Jess leaned forward. "What if I offered some of the older ones a place?"

Aunt Patty shook her head. "You are misunderstanding, Miss Harper. This is not a negotiation. There is no extra coin for schooling. Bargain or not."

"What if I weren't asking for coin?" Jess pressed. "There’s a great deal of chores to be done when running a school. Sweeping. Dusting. That kind of thing."

The twirling needles in Aunt Patty's hands stilled completely. Carefully now, thought Jess as she let the woman consider her offer.

"The children would be able to earn their own learning?" Aunt Patty eventually asked.

Jess nodded. "Age-appropriate tasks, of course."

"And they would learn alongside the other children?" asked Aunt Patty.

"All students would be equal," Jess said. "No matter their species or their upbringing."

Aunt Patty's eyebrow shot up at that. "Species?"

Jess hesitated but nodded. "I plan on opening up the school to the wood folk as well."

The old woman chuckled dryly. "You will have your hands full there, my dear."

Jess grinned. "I don't doubt it. But it'll be good for the students to mix. Mike mentioned that it would be popular amongst the wood folk for that reason."

"Mike Toleron?" Aunt Patty asked and Jess nodded. "He has good contacts within their community, I hear."

"That's what I'm hoping. He'll be introducing me to various groups in the next few days," Jess said.

"Most of the wood folk will struggle to pay with coin," said Aunt Patty. "If you are correct in assuming that they will send their children at all."

"I know," said Jess. "But there's no rent to pay for the school itself. If they can trade candles, food, even just their time, I'm sure I can make it work."

Aunt Patty mused over this for a few moments, resuming her knitting. Jess could feel her heart thumping in her chest.

"I will speak to the children," Aunt Patty finally agreed. "Those that wish to attend can do so... provided that you are able to enrol some of the wood folk's children as well."

Jess smiled. "That sounds like a fair deal to me."