Mother and Father went home on Saturday last and Jik and Dom set out again too. Tippa’s blacking was finished so Jik thought he should go back to his assigned route. He has promised to come in early though, before the Gathering, so he can advise me.

Tippa is very happy with the blacking and pleased because Toby has done a great job of the welding on the counter. I know she cannot afford to pay for that as well as the new propeller, so I told her the Silberay would pay, despite our fairly desperate financial state. She has offered to spring clean the annex, ready for the Gathering instead. I wouldn’t have thought of it, but Mother did say the whole place looked rather uncared for, so Tippa’s offer is a real help.

I’d always thought she disapproved of me and although we were apprenticed at the same time we’ve never really been friends. Actually that is probably why. I was rather a show-off back then and I’m afraid Marheh the Great was often in evidence despite Nemle’s efforts to restrain me.

Anyway, we have actually been talking and getting on quite well. She did an amazing job cleaning the kitchen and invited me to eat there with her. She headed out this morning, Sunrise all fixed.

Tomorrow Toby is bringing his family for the promised boat ride. I’m quite looking forward to taking Day Bringer out for a couple of hours, though a bit apprehensive about my guests.