Come in.
The fire’s still going.
Dorothea keeps the Copper Dormouse,
a stone inn a little beyond the village green.
The Copper Dormouse
The copper dormouse curls its tail over the door. Weather has turned it green. A pear tree climbs the stonework, and a side gate leads towards the orchard.
Inside, Dorothea has a kitchen range, blue-and-white crockery and guests who tend to feel at home. Her brother Bartholomew comes for an autumn week. Other visitors arrive with less warning, especially when the weather interrupts their plans.
Dorothea paints too. Her easel belongs by the orchard window, though keeping an inn does not always leave the hours she would like for it. Look above the hearth for her picture of three pears.
People connected with this place
Dorothea
Keeper of the Copper Dormouse, painter, and Bartholomew’s sister.
Bartholomew Bellweather
Toymaker, father, brother—and an occasional passenger on the night sleeper.
Beatrice Thistleby
Louisa's sister, a pianist, and an attentive listener even when the musicians are still trying things.
Beatrice beside the window on the sisters’ seaside holiday.
Louisa Thistleby
Beatrice's sister, with a plum-coloured hat and another attempt at the little boat game in mind.
Louisa in her plum hat on the sisters’ seaside holiday.
Henry Bellweather
Keeper of the shop's accounts, with an exact eye and opinions of his own.
Henry Bellweather · Current character illustration.
Tobias Tallowick
Night attendant on the sleeper, with thirty winters of journeys behind him.
Nearby and connected places
Customs & details
A short scene from here
A theatre on the tableStories
A Cosy Night at the Copper Dormouse
Rain reaches Little Tallowmere. Inside the inn, Bartholomew and Dorothea have a paper theatre to unpack.
With Bartholomew Bellweather, Dorothea
Snowed In at the Copper Dormouse
Dorothea means to close the inn for a week and paint. The snow has other plans for her household.
With Dorothea, Beatrice Thistleby, Louisa Thistleby, Tobias Tallowick
The Winter Sleeper Home from Brindlecombe
Say goodnight to Dorothea, then travel home through the winter with Bartholomew and Henry Bellweather.
With Bartholomew Bellweather, Dorothea, Tobias Tallowick, Edward Bellweather, Henry Bellweather, Lucy Bellweather