You look more like Missus Primula every time you visit." Bell smiled, drawing the teenager into her embrace. Frodo didn’t mind, the hug or the reference to his mother. Most people avoided mentioning his parents but he delighted in hearing about them.

He was glad Mother Gamgee was in the garden that morning, in her favourite spot for mending and watching her flowers grow.

The two youngest of Bell’s flowers, Sam and Marigold, came running when they saw Frodo, bringing hugs and blackberries. Frodo lit up even more and joyously accepted the sharing of friendship, berries and a mumma’s love.