She had walked to the train station on her own from the market, basket slung over her arm. She wouldn't spend too much time away from Tilly, but she wanted to return Mister Blacke's handkerchief to him. After she had laundered it, she had taken the time to embroider his initials onto one corner of the cloth. "J.B." in elegant cursive cross stitch, the floss was white to match the cloth. She also carried a mince pie with her that she had baked for Mister Blacke as an excuse to talk to him further.

Pearl glanced about her, looking for him now.