Brighid, temporarily Eva, had a gentle commanding presence that the everwise Fearfeasa recognised as being worthy of respect.

"I agree, Brighid," he said. "I am famished with the hunger and I do declare that all these stories that stretch back through the centuries can make huge demands on the listeners and readers."

He continued: "Now, dear Annabel, you can relax. I have already benefited from your skills as a welcoming hostess (all that training in Auckland has not gone amiss with you!) and could I suggest kindly to you that we lay out the fine repast that we have brought in our baskets for this picnic breakfast?"

Annabel was pleased to feel re-instated in the good graces of Fearfeasa, and immediately started laying out a sumptuous meal for them. She felt a little intimidated by the beautiful Brighid/Eva, who was now immersed in a deep philosophical conversation with Fearfeasa. A slight little frisson of hostility stirred in her, as she busied herself laying the picnic table as elegantly as she could in this lakeside setting. Wasn't it always the way, she thought to herself? There are situations where wise and beautiful women gain the attention of an important man and they expect other women to serve them. Well, she would show this greeneyed Brighid what hidden talent she herself possessed when it came to being hospitable!

"Let them think I was merely a waitress in a Pizza Hut, " she murmured to herself.

"The silly ladies in whose house I have been working don't think very highly of my culinary skills either. Oh, they haven't said so to me, but I can read between the lines of their stilted compliments to my housework for them!"She started to look through the picnic baskets that Fearfeasa and herself had carried out with them this morning. She had another bag also, a backpack she always carried with her. From this she took a tablecloth of the finest linen, some sparkling crystal glasses and shining silver cutlery, and beautifully folded starched napkins.

From another compartment in her backpack she produced a shiny casserole pot. Anyone looking into that pot would merely see their own reflection inside. But this was Annabel's secret pot. Even Fearfeasa, who knew almost everything, didn't realise she had it. It had been given to her by an old lady of Irish descent in Auckland. Annabel had been extremely kind to this old lady before she died, and as she about to breathe her last she said Annabel:

"Take this pot, my dear. It has been in my family for hundreds, nay thousands of years. It has undergone many changes of size and appearance through the years, but it still retains its power. It is in fact the original "Cauldron of Plenty" and when used by the person who is entitled to have it, it will conjure up a meal worthy of a Michelin starred restaurant. Use it whenever you feel the need to."

So Annabel took a few slices of bread from Fearfeasa's picnic basket and threw them to the swans, who squawked happily and glided gracefully to the far side of the pond. Then she set about producing, not a woodland picnic breakfast, but a meal that Fearfeasa and Brighid would never forget. They would forever after remember the day they were served "Annabel's Feast in the Forest".....