Working for Evelyn the broommaker was not glamorous, but at least it didn’t involve the harsh chemicals of the tanner or the messy powders of Ernst the apothecary. Most of what was involved was simply holding things in place while Evelyn tied the straw, which I found out was not actually straw but just random grasses from outside of town.
I couldn’t help but think that the old-fashioned witch brooms—as I thought of them—were wildly inefficient. The broom bristles would have been much better lined up in a flat row like what I could pick up from any home goods store or bodega. Only, I knew injection-molded plastic frames and machine inserted synthetic bristles were not possible. Still, I remembered the old-fashioned bristle brooms from growing up, and thought there could be a way to make it happen.
I offered to pick up lunch for the two of us, and went back to the bazaar with Ranger. On the way, I stopped by a carpenter’s shop, and described what I wanted, gesturing the dimensions with my hands. He nodded and said it wouldn’t take but a few minutes, and I gave him a few coppers.
At the bazaar, my sausages were still not ready, but I was able to pick up some salted meats. I picked up some cheese, some fruit, and fresh-baked bread from Marion, who gave me an odd smile—I was going to have to deal with the rumors of me and Caitlyn, soon.
By the time I had the food, the carpenter had finished the tall, open rectangle frame.
This ought to do the trick.