"Tian, Tian, get up!" Her mother, Liana called.
      "Coming mother."
      "You have lots of chores to do today young lady so don't laze around."
      Tian groaned, she always had "lots of chores" and as the youngest of eight, five boys and three girls (although her two sisters had both married and left), she often had extra chores dumped on her. She got up and dressed quickly knowing that if she got there late that she'd get the worst chores going, cleaning the privy or some other 'delightful' task. She tied up her long brown hair and ran out of her small room to find her mother and fortunately arrived first.
      "Tian dear you have a choice, either help me mend clothes or report to the Hold's kitchens and help prepare lunch."
      The thought of spending another whole day under the watchful eye of her mother was non-too appealing to Tian, if she went to the kitchens though she may end up with more work. Quickly weighing up her options in her mind Tian chose the kitchens as the lesser of the two evils.
      "Kitchens please mother."
      "Okay off you go."
      Tian raced to the Hold kitchens where she reported to the Headwoman Isilla.
      "Okay dear," said the kind voice of the Headwoman, "you can help Irlan, my son, peel tubers."
      This suited Tian, she got on well with Irlan as they were the same age, 15, and had played together when they were younger. She walked over to the tall boy peeling tubers.
      "'Morning Irlan, I'm to help you today."
      "Hey Tian, I haven't seen you in a while."
      "Oh that would be because Liana insists that I learn her trade!" She said as she picked up a knife and started peeling, "I'm no good at sewing, and I never will be."
      "Well you could come here everyday, I bet you'd make a great Headwoman one day."
      "Me! Headwoman! That's ridiculous, I'm no good at bossing people around, I'm too shy!"
      "You just need a little more confidence girl!" Irlan said, laughing.
      Tian blushed brightly, "I s'pose, maybe."
      The rest of the peeling passed quickly and Tian and Irlan had time to catch up with each other's lives. After clearing up they reported to Isilla for another chore.
      "You two think you can watch the spit?"
      "Sure mother!" Irlan said cheekily.
      "Off with you!" She exclaimed in mock anger.
      As Isilla watched the pair of them walk off she tutted under her breath. Those two don't even see the spark between them! She chuckled quietly then returned to keeping an eye on her younger helpers.