Lory’s jaw dropped when she saw what Alice was wearing. Some of the girls on the street had similar quality clothing, but Lory avoided buying new clothes lest her family suspect.

Her pay took a hit for it.

“Oh my goodness,” she breathed out. “Your dress is lovely – let me see it!”

The new accent was … strange out of Alice’s mouth, but to see her looking well was such a relief. Maybe her life wasn’t so bad. Maybe this was the path.