Lory looked about nervously, aware of the eyes that turned to glance before mercifully walking on. A man in a boater turned his head, squinted, and glanced down from Lory’s tear-stricken face to her breasts. She didn’t recognize the man, but the unabashed once-over put her on edge. Had he..? Hadn’t he..? Or did he just want to..?

“I can watch the stand for you, Alice,” she said, quietly but urgently. “See the water. Take a moment.”

A moment where Lory could catch her breath. How much longer could she keep this up before word got around? Some of her clients had money to toss about … but most of them lived on the same streets as her family.

Would this kind of life be preferable to Alice? The thought killed her, but so did the sight.