Serial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Ream Stories, Kindle Vella
Chapter 1: Creating Happiness
April 1615, Nayland, England
John and Judith Firmin were important in that town, especially to the Veers brothers. They were in the professional middling* class, unlike the Veers, who were in the just-about middling class. The Firmins’ welcoming response after the move to Nayland allowed Mary Veers her grief about losing her husband too soon. She became friends with Judith Firmin, who made her a part of the small gossip of women who went to each of the houses within the tight-knit community. For this reason, Mary, her daughter Maria, and her four sons, James, Sammie, John, and Richard, came to the birthing to help. Mary, Maria, and Richard could enter the house since the other brothers were too old. Instead, they helped John with feeding and caring for his livestock.
“Richard, Richard, come and bring the water,” called Mary.
A gossip* of women and girls, who helped Judith with her household chores, surrounded her. The tasks ahead were daunting — a meal to be made, the home to be cleaned, and a wine bath to be prepared for the anticipated arrival of the baby. They waited on the water Richard drew from the well.
