The Peacok 1868

"You..you can't be more than sixteen". Maureen stammers  She looks almost exactly like a gobsmacked schoolteacher whose star pupil has just redefined in front of the class everything she is trying to teach them. "How many sixteen year olds do you know can summon you at will no matter where you might happen to be, no matter how many miles or kilometres you have to cross, and in the twinkling of an eye you are here?  Oh, and won't you have some blue cheese dip with some sourdough bread?  My father here just made them and they are delicious.  Or should I say my stepfather because my mother happened to be already pregnant with me before they were married."  He gestures towards the ancient Joseph who is seated now next to Jennifer.  "Not bad at all for a retired carpenter." Maureen looks at Joseph as though she cannot believe what she is seeing.  He says to her, "I am very pleased to meet you, Maureen, and I do hope that this humble fare is up to your standards.  By the way, I understand that you three, with Jennifer and Sarah, also happen to be librarians.  One of the many reasons you have been summoned is we need someone to curate our vast home library here on the premises..."