They'd fallen into an easy routine, the three of them. Breakfast together in the morning, then Hug hie would leave for work and she and Nell would get started in the house. Little found she liked having a second shadow, enjoyed showing Nell things, explaining how they worked and why. Nell was a big one for asking why-why did the sun hide at night, why didn't the fire flames leap out of the gate, why didn't the river get bored and run the other way?-and Little loved supplying answers, watching as understanding dawned on Nell's little face. For the first time in her life, Little felt useful, needed, whole.

The Forgotten Garden