My mother always said, "Punctuality is the politeness of kings!" Then she would wag her finger and her eyes would crinkle with mischief to add, "It is also the virtue of the bored."

I promised Fenian I would follow him to An Calleach na Muir as soon as I paid a brief visit to Moss, to be sure she's comfortably settled in her old place. The healer had so many fascinating stories to tell about her adventures at Crannog Niall that I completely lost track of the time! Nibbling on honey cakes and sipping sweet mint tea, I sat raptly by her hearth while she regaled me with tales.

Before I knew it, many hours passed. The slit of sunlight that shone through her doorflap slithhered slowly across the floor and took on hues of pink and red.

"Moss! I'm late to meet Fenian and Niamh at An Cailleach nMuir. Come, sup and drink with us! Bring Thorn if you like."