Bill worked away as much fish and chips as he could while she talked, not so much because he noticed her averting her eyes from the food - he didn't - but because he realized it was getting late and Lottie might be home soon and give him judgmental looks.

"Aye, well, I s'ppose if ye've nowt useful to do with yer time, that's what ye'd end up doin', wouldn't ye? Although..." An idea had suddenly occurred to him. Pearl seemed so sweet and eager to help out, surely she wouldn't mind. "Ye any good at needlework then? Ye said ye don't like it, but our Kate, poor lass, she's no good, to be blunt, and she 'as to get better fer school, ye see. And I think Lottie's patience is wearin' thin. She could do with some extra lessons from someone..." meeker "... different."