Nanny thought about it, gleaning more information from Circe’s and Snow’s memories of their visit to Mrs. Tiddlebottom before they came to Morningstar. She also caught some of Gothel’s story. “I think Snow is right. The poor woman may need someone there to help her.”
Nanny eyed Snow White, wondering what she was up to. She believed Snow was worried about Mrs. Tiddlebottom and her charges, Primrose and Hazel—she could see it in her mind—but she also felt there was something more to this odd request. And she was surprised Snow was able to keep it to herself. Perhaps it was nothing more than guilt for not staying with Mrs. Tiddlebottom and Gothel’s sisters longer. She knew Circe felt ashamed for leaving them alone so soon; that had been on Circe’s mind. Perhaps Snow also felt ashamed. But why was she making this request now, in the middle of a crisis? Nanny didn’t understand it. And then she grasped it, the real reason, hiding in the shadows of Snow’s mind: something about looking for the missing pages from the book of fairy tales in Gothel’s library, which was still at Mrs. Tiddlebottom’s house. Interesting.
“I won’t have you so far from us, Snow. I want you here, where we can protect you,” said Circe, not reading Nanny’s thoughts, focused as she was on her cousin.
“And what about Mrs. Tiddlebottom? Who will protect her?” Snow’s lip started to tremble. She turned abruptly and left the room.
“Circe, go with her. You told me yourself you were worried about Primrose and Hazel,” said Nanny.
“Did I?”
“Well, not with words, dear,” Nanny said with a wink.
“It’s true I did leave them much sooner than I wanted in my haste to get back to you.”
“Leave everything to me, as we discussed earlier. I have a feeling there are answers in Gothel’s library that will help you decide what to do about your mothers.”
“What do you mean, Nanny?”
“You should ask Snow. I think there is more to this little trip than checking in on Mrs. Tiddlebottom and her sleeping beauties.”
Circe perched the odd sisters’ house in a field filled with brilliant golden wildflowers at twilight, just as her mothers had done years earlier. Mrs. Tiddlebottom’s cottage was silhouetted against a periwinkle sky and surrounded by an overgrown garden with blossoming trees that filled the air with a sticky-sweet scent. Beyond the wildflower field were the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Snow remembered the scene in Gothel’s story in which Gothel snuck out of the cellar to revive herself with the flower before the soldiers came to seize it for their queen. Snow never pictured her as the old witch. She always saw her as young and vibrant with her sisters. And being there in that place where Gothel had felt so alone made Snow’s heart ache for all Gothel’s hopes and dreams that never had the chance to come true.
Circe and Snow called out to Mrs. Tiddlebottom as they approached the back door, hoping she would pop her sweet face out the kitchen door to say hello, but she didn’t respond.
“Mrs. Tiddlebottom?”
The women found Mrs. Tiddlebottom sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by marzipan animals and beautifully decorated birthday cakes. The sweet confections covered the kitchen table and all of the counters, and they were balanced on the window ledges.
“Mrs. Tiddlebottom? It’s me, Snow White. I’ve come with Circe to check on you.” The woman said nothing; she just stared off into the distance. “Circe, I think she could use a cup of tea,” said Snow, taking the old woman gently by the hand and trying to rouse her.
When Circe went to take the teapot out of the cabinet, she noticed the candy menagerie had been piled on plates, in bowls, and inside the teacups. She took a marzipan kitten off the top of the teapot and checked inside before preparing the tea.
“Mrs. Tiddlebottom? Do you remember us?” Snow White’s heart broke as she looked at the poor woman, who hadn’t even noticed them yet. “Mrs. Tiddlebottom?”
The woman finally raised her gaze, and her face lit up when she saw Snow White. “Of course I remember you, dear! I’m so happy you’ve come back!” Snow White hugged the old woman tightly. “I would offer to make you some tea, but I see sweet Circe is already taking care of things.”
Circe blushed. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Tiddlebottom. I thought it would be nice for you to have someone wait on you for a change.”
The old woman smiled. “Don’t you fret, dear. I am happy you’re here.”
“I see you’ve been busy,” Snow White said, smiling at the confections scattered around the kitchen.
“Yes, I suppose I have.” Mrs. Tiddlebottom looked around the room as if she didn’t know how all the animals had gotten there.
“Maybe we should go into the sitting room or the library while Circe makes us some tea,” Snow White said, shooting a concerned look at Circe.
“Oh, I never go into the library. Never! Never the library or the cellar,” said the befogged old woman.
“Well, I hope you don’t mind my going into Gothel’s old library later, Mrs. Tiddlebottom. There are some books in there I think might be of use to us.”
Mrs. Tiddlebottom gave Snow a sly look. “Oh, I don’t think Gothel would mind. It’s not like she can object now, can she?” she said, laughing. “Why don’t you just take them? I’d be happy to be rid of the foul things!” She seemed to remember something unpleasant.
“Come on, let’s go to the sitting room, Mrs. T.” Snow ushered Mrs. Tiddlebottom through the kitchen and dining room, to the lovely little sitting room. The room was cozy and old-fashioned; the walls were covered in brown wallpaper splashed with delicate pink flowers, and the tables with white lace doilies. A perfect home for an old woman. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Tiddlebottom?” The sweet woman looked as if she was considering her answer, but never got around to voicing it. “Mrs. Tiddlebottom?” Snow sat down next to her and took her by the hand. “Mrs. Tiddlebottom, is there anything I can do for you?”
Just then Circe came into the room, carrying a heaping tray. “Ladies, I have the tea. And I’ve made some little sandwiches.”