Cryptocracy Day 2 -- Axed

Mavis set down her fountain-pen and glared at the letter in front of her. Donovan had a habit of knowing when her relayings of humdrum village life had been over-thought and over-wrought, which made correspondence trying even for a semi-retired air balloonist with all the spare time one needed. It was hard to sit at a desk for two hours and tell a young friend on a journey to Motuo how little had changed since the last letter.

Mavis had had enough, and a week or so's delay on her end wouldn't be felt in the months before the letter might reach Donovan. She switched off the desk lamp and headed over to the window, squinting through the evening gloom at goings-on in the town.

Ah. The Tea Social at the church. Another reason to stop by Jason's for a drink.

Mavis just pottered round her house for a bit, building up the fire and finding an extra scarf or pair of socks before even attempting things like outdoors or unsolicited company.