Joe stopped eating and listened to her tale. After she had finished, he reached out the hand that was closest to her and touched her arm, assuming it would be welcome.

"That's a terrible thing for a lady to endure, I'm sorry you 'ad to live it. Truth be told, I read it in the paper but it sounded all a bit daft to be 'onest. Walkin' up an down the beach like a fallen woman at night... scandal made up to sell copies, frankly. It doesn't fit with the Pearl I've met."