At first, Ruby watched them with open curiosity. Rocking, cradle, like a baby … did he have children? Taller … multiple kids? He was so young! Was he looking for siblings? … Did the Longbottoms lose a child in France somehow, or get shipped off by those McPadraics?

… Would Lory have been happier had she been shipped off by the McPadraics?

Then he asked about where she was from. Back up came that painted on, overly pleasant smile.
What was she supposed to say? ‘Yes, and I fear every corner of it’? Chéri looked so … optimistic. She didn’t take that from him. No: she wanted to catch it from him. Like a butterfly, or a disease.

“We are all Whitby,” Ruby said airily, fanning herself with her hand.

Her smile turned sympathetic, and she nodded.

“Me, too. Have you been in Whitby long?”