Celia listened quietly as the old woman explained the village's approach to sharing food, resources and labour. Those who were strong bodied and could work hard, did. Then everything produced was divided according to need.
It seemed like a very strange concept to her - to own very little of your own and to rely so heavily on the efforts of others.
It also struck her as rather touching. Celia found herself shaking her head ruefully. "What you describe is so foreign to me, Philippa. Foreign and yet, wonderful in its own way. To have such lifelong ties with your neighbours and to have those ties endure through the generations…through disasters and famine. It makes me envious, to be honest."
Philippa's eyes widened. "But how could someone like me make someone like you envious, my lady?"
