Joe felt very much like a small boy in front of the schoolmaster again. Perhaps it was his grand surroundings that overwhelmed him? Joe certainly wasn't dressed for a place like this... Or maybe it was the shock of the evening's adventure starting to wear off? Whatever the reason, Joe conceded to the elder Carrington's request and began his story.

"Well it started, um.." Joe began haltingly before looking at Pearl for support. He supposed she needed him to be strong for her in the moment, he swallowed and took an extra deep breath.

"It started about a week ago when I met your daughter at Whitby Town station in the course of my duties as a porter there, sir..."

So Joe recounted in detail his first meeting with Pearl and that first unfortunate encounter with Robert.