Rose watched Alice for any indications of her thoughts or feelings or the secrets that she clearly kept. The girl sat by the window, looking out absent-minded. Beside her, Anne was very clearly aware of the discomfort she was causing her fellow travelers. She sat huddled up, as if trying to take up as little space as possible. But she was neither small, nor easy to ignore right now. Her little brother sitting next to her had his nose pinched between his thumb and index finger.

Rose sat opposite of them, next to her cousin. She had thought it better to go to her place, as it would be easier to run a bath for Anne, but she had been too tired to protest when Lory had directed the coach to the Cragg instead.

Her cousin's attempt at small talk annoyed her.

"Ye shouldn't 'ave encouraged Alice to join the race," she replied.

Anne looked up. "Shut up, Rose," she snapped, before turning very red and staring at her sister with open mouth. Rose stared back. Anne had never talked to her like that before.