Lottie looked down at Anne's revelation with a look of mild surprise which quickly turned into bemusement. She could see how such a connection could be made: the age gap, the body language between the two women, their whole reason for being in the shop An honest mistake, but she saw the funny side of it. Lottie was also reminded of the sad reality behind the illusion.

"She's made a mistake, but it's a nice thought, all the same." Lottie answered her young charge.

She wanted to think she was a good mother to her actual daughter Kate. Would Hannah Ward approve of her actions over the last few days? That question couldn't really be answered, but Lottie rather fancied she would. She was just being a guiding influence to her old friend's child. There was no harm in that, was there?