As the girls moved further away from the pavilion and the eel-sucking members of the brass band, she considered the notion of marriage and children. It was all a bit mystifying. Ellie thought a lover someone who provided flowers or pies, maybe someone who would help with the washing up. None of the fish chugging boys back there seemed to be the type to care about flowers.

"Children happen when a mother and a father decide it's time. Mother then prays in church, and if she's lucky, she is pregnant with child. Just like Mary."