Posh Lord with a rather nice coat and boots, a ccompanied by rather dippy woman in a carriage wearing a blue dress, stop at a crossroad in Blackwater, In the Grim, on a rather wet morning. Very respectable looking peasant walking along whistling to herself goes by.
| Posh Lord | Hey, you, wench. |
| Joanna ( all innocent) | Good Morrow, my Lord? |
| PL | Which way is Katterham? What's the best way? |
| J | Katterham? Best way? Are you travelling without guards, my Lord and Lady? I only ask because some of the roads round here could be a bit dangerous for two persons alone. |
| PL | Then tell us the safe route, woman. |
| J ( as if surprised) | But of course. Well, you don't want to go up the main road. Its really boggy and some parts are just impassable by carriage. |
| PL | Why is it the main road then? |
| J | Because the others are even worse. Except the road through Merstan village, this road here to the East, but make sure you pass by the village on the north side, My Lady, then you'll be upwind of the pigsty and, believe me, I went by there earlier, and you want to be upwind. Go along a little - its quite a narrow road but flat and not too rutted, and you'll come to a wooded bit where it can get quite dark. But don't you worry, my Lady. This time of day there's nobody around. Next to the hanging tree… |
| Dippy Lady (squeaks) | Hanging Tree? |
| J ( reassuring) | Oh, don't worry, the last one was taken down last week. Next to the Hanging Tree there's a turn to the North. Follow this road past the caves until you get to the Canterbury Road, you can't miss it, there's always wagons and carts and horses, regular gridlock in the mornings, especially if you get an accident. Last week a cart broke a shaft a Clacketts Lane and blocked the whole thing all morning. Took us ages to get it moving. Hell to cross as well. Anyway, don't go on it, just go across. Its no good for Katterham, takes you miles out of your way. Go straight up Ockley Hill- it's a bit steep, but the horse looks sturdy enough, you shouldn't have any trouble. When you get to the top, past the Six Brothers Field, you'll see Calvedon Church. If you have a few moments you might stop, My Gentles, there's a painting on the wall there that'll chill you blood. Anyway, turn East at the Church, along the ridge Road and through Fryern Broom Wood. You'll be under the protection of the ViceCountess Coneyboro all the way. You'll come to Katterham safe as houses. It's the best route I know. |
| PL | Here's a penny for your trouble |
| J | Well that very generous. And Fare well. |
PL and DL set off towards Merstan and Joanna, still whistling, sets off across country.