Lory was belting out a meandering, half-remembered song (that was more glorious ‘aaaa’s than words) from a recent busker when the door opened. She managed to turn the last ‘word’ into a coughing fit, patting her sternum as she turned to face Rose.

Though still a skinny, androgynous thing, Lory had already reached a height with her mother. She was a woman now! That damned diaper proved it.

“Good! Good,” she exhaled.

Look, it had been a long note.

“Baker should be by tonight,” she said. “We should have a bit extra to go around.”

There were ten of Uncle Ben’s under one roof, after all … and she couldn’t imagine Rose or Alice leading men on.

“How bad is it out?”

Not an uncommon question from her. It was a little more exciting when she was indoors rather than out.