Castleton? But when would he ever have the chance to visit them, if Edmund and Mable found somewhere to stay out there?

…He reminded himself that they were not his children. They had plans of their own, he was sure, and they had never said that Whitby was a permanent home just because they were here now. Malachi would be happy for them to take better opportunities if they presented elsewhere, of course he would.

He would just… miss her. He’d miss both of them, once they left.

“Yes, I understand,” he dipped his head. “I’ve known them for almost two months – as long as I’ve been in town myself, sir. I admit I’ve worried about Edmund getting drawn into the wrong kind of crowd here, if he doesn’t find work… but an honest man like yourself would make a good influence. He has a good heart, and I have faith in him.”