The real Mother Goose

“Ah.” The Queen nodded to Simon. “A tart. They’re such tarts, these young ones.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Simon agreed with a nod. He looked appreciatively at the young blonde.

“But a tasty tart, sounds like,” the Queen observed with a small smile. “A tempting, luscious tart.”

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty,” Simon agreed.

“I should like to have her.” The Queen turned to Mother. “Arrange it.” Mother nodded, her jaw tight. Blue put his hand on her elbow.

“But Mother,” Muffy whispered to the older woman. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“Come with me,” the Queen said, reaching her hand for the girl. “Come along, I won’t bite. Come meet all the other tarts. You will fit in quite well.”

“It’s okay,” Mother whispered into her ear as she wiped a tear from the girl’s cheek. “This is the best thing that could have happened to you. Go, now. Be a good girl.”

Muffy stumbled after the Queen of Hearts, glancing back at Mother once to wave, looking forlorn.

“Well, Blue.” Mother sighed at the man, taking his arm. “I came to find a girl, and instead I gave one up! What do you think of that?”

“It’s all right, Mother,” he assured her, kissing her cheek. “There is a little pair you must see over there who will cheer you right up-a red-haired jewel named Jill and another who looks like he could be her twin. His name is Jack.”

“Really?” Mother perked up, letting him lead her out of the booth. They waved a goodbye to Simon as the crowd dispersed.

“And it could have been worse you know,” Blue remarked as they made their way through.

“Oh?”

“You know the Queen of Hearts, Mother.” Blue was smiling, but it was grim. “She could have said, ‘Off with her head!’”

“True,” Mother said with a laugh. She took his hand and they went to look at the young red-headed pair Blue had promised would cheer her right up.

Chapter Five

Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill went up the hill,

To fetch a pail of water

Jack fell down and broke his crown

And Jill came tumbling after…

Mother was having a picnic and the day was glorious. The shade of the umbrella over her pale, creamy skin made it just cool enough to sit and drink iced tea and enjoy the festivities. The bright shock of green lawn was already filled with people milling about the tables Blue and Willie had set up the day before. Cook had loaded them with food, and Mother had borrowed King Cole’s fiddlers-they were playing merry tunes to dance to.

“Mary has arrived, Mother.” Blue leaned to whisper into her ear, making her shiver with the heat of his breath.

“Goodness, look at Peep!” Mother exclaimed, crossing her long, bare legs under her peignoir and swinging one high-heeled boot.

“Mother…” Mary-who some called contrary-leaned in to kiss the other woman’s cheek. She was followed by Little Bo Peep dressed in a black corset and stockings with tall, soft boots, almost a replica of Mother’s outfit, minus the peignoir. She also wore a soft leather collar, and Mary held the leash attached to it.

“I wouldn’t have recognized you, Peep darling,” Mother exclaimed, noting the girl’s dark make-up, her eyes heavily lined in charcoal, a stark contrast to her pale skin and hair. She turned her attention to Mary who was taking a seat beside her. “Good to see you, dear.”

“Isn’t she lovely?” Mary smiled, tugging gently at the leash. Peep sank to her knees beside her mistress, her hands going behind her back as she bowed her head, her golden hair falling like a curtain around her face. “She has been a dream to train.”

“She always did like it so,” Mother agreed, watching the girl fondly as Mary petted the girl’s flaxen tresses. “Have you seen my newest procurement?” Mary shook her head and then gasped as one of Mother’s catgirls, Lucy, nudged her from under the chair.

“Look how big they’re getting!” Mary exclaimed, reaching down to massage the soft, velvety ears of the catgirl at her feet. They were growing at an accelerated rate, as all feline-human species do, and would be full grown by six months. “What are these on her paws?”

“Mittens,” Mother replied with a sigh. “I lost three good peignoirs and had to order more made before Willie came up with that idea. Problem is, they hate them, and often lose them.”

Mary chuckled as Lucy nuzzled her black velvety head against the woman’s knee, her purr audible. “They can be a handful.”

“Speaking of a handful,” Mother murmured, glancing behind her. “Blue, have you seen the twins?”

“Yes, Mother.” He squatted next to her chair and pointed. Her gaze followed the direction of his finger and she saw them up on the hill next to the well.

“They’re not really twins,” Mother explained to Mary. “Not even related by blood, but they look so much alike, it’s amazing.”