"Thank you, my dear." Lottie replied as she busied herself with the tea making.

"Yer mother would be proud of yer manners, dear. I can see why ye and Kate are friends."

As the kettle started to make the telltale low roiling sound of heating water, Lottie found herself continually looking back at young Anne. Warm memories of exactly this same thing with Kate a few years ago washed over Lottie. Quiet time bonding with a young girl, making her feel special. She, a mother, missed that.

Poor Anne Lottie thought.

Life was hard in the Cragg for the fisherfolk, as well Lottie knew. Plus being without a mother, things must be that much harder for young Anne. What Anne needed was a bit of mothering. Heaven knows Ben Ward wasn't exactly a bulwark of femininity.

"Right." Lottie decided again with firm action "as we 'ave tea, we must have cake. I made spotted dick for later, but would ye like to sneak some now Anne?"

Even if Lottie could only fill Anne's tiny belly, she would feel a little better.