Edgar thought: That’s the third time Ma has surprised me.

Cwenburg said to Ma: “How did you know that?”

“I know because your shape has changed. You’ve put on a little weight around your middle, and your breasts are bigger. I expect your nipples hurt.”

Cwenburg was frightened and looked pale. “How do you know all this? You must be a witch!”

Leaf understood what Ma was getting at. “Oh, dear,” she said. “I should have seen the signs.”

Edgar thought: Your eyesight was blurred by ale.

Cwenburg said: “What are you all talking about?”

Ma spoke gently. “You’re going to have a baby. When you stop getting the monthly blood, that’s how you know you’re pregnant.”

“Is it?”

Edgar wondered how a girl could reach the age of fifteen without knowing that.

Dreng was infuriated. “You mean she’s already with child?”

“Yes,” said Ma. “I knew it when I saw her naked. And she doesn’t know whether the father is Erman or Eadbald.”

Dreng stared malevolently at Ma. “You’re saying she’s no better than a whore!”

Leaf said: “Calm down, Dreng. You shag two women—does that make you a male whore?”

“I haven’t shagged you for a while.”

“A mercy for which I thank heaven daily.”

Ma said: “Someone has to help Cwenburg raise the baby, Dreng. And there are only two possibilities. She can stay here with you, and you can help her raise the grandchild.”

“A child needs its father.” Dreng was being unusually decent. Edgar had noticed that he softened when Cwenburg was around.

Ma said: “The alternative is that Erman and Eadbald will marry Cwenburg and they will raise the child together. And if that happens, Edgar must come here to live, and be paid half a penny a day on top of his food.”

“I don’t like either choice.”

“Then suggest another.”

Dreng opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Leaf said: “What do you think, Cwenburg? Do you want to marry Erman and Eadbald?”

“Yes,” Cwenburg said. “I like them both.”

Leaf said: “When shall we have the wedding?”

“Tomorrow,” Ma said. “At noon.”

“Where? Here?”

“Everyone in the hamlet will show up.”

Dreng said grumpily: “I don’t want to give them all free beer.”

Ma said: “And I don’t want to explain the marriage ten times over to every fool in Dreng’s Ferry.”

Edgar said: “At the farm, then. They can all find out about it later.”

Leaf said: “I’ll provide a small barrel of ale.”

Ma looked inquiringly at Ethel, who had not spoken.

Ethel said: “I’ll make honey cakes.”

“Oh, good,” said Cwenburg. “I love honey cakes.”

Edgar stared at her in disbelief. She had just agreed to marry two men, and she was able to get excited about cakes.

Ma said: “Well, Dreng?”

“I’ll pay Edgar a farthing a day.”

“Done,” said Ma. She stood up. “We’ll expect you all tomorrow at noon, then.”

Her three sons stood and followed her as she walked away from the alehouse.