Lottie sighed deeply at the heavy feelings fallen on shoulders so young. Lottie had been about Pearl's age when she had been similarly encumbered by a youthful indiscretion. No. Now wasn't the time to go digging that old thing up. Nevertheless, the Blacke matriarch well remembered the weight of the burden of shame. It didn't get much lighter the longer it was carried.

"Come along, dear. Let's get ye some fresh tea. This is probably cold." Lottie took the teacup away and busied herself with the creation of a fresh pot. "So, eh. How are ye two fairing? I'm sure pennies are important." Lottie couldn't escape the elephant in the room that Pearl had been raised in money and her marriage to Joe had suddenly snapped the connection to wealth and privledge.