Anne wanted to hug Mable in that moment. There was so little kindness in her life these days, and she felt like since Alice had left and she wasn't allowed to speak to Mrs. Blacke anymore, there was no one who looked after her. Since the girl was holding the basket in her arms, Anne gave her a watery smile instead. "Thank you."

She made her way to the pier as fast as she felt Mable could keep up with the basket. By the time they had made it up the slipway and to the far end of the pier, the boats were close enough to get a proper view. There were three of them and one of them was the one carrying her father and brother. The sails had been lowered and the oars were out. The boats were bobbing up and down on the violent waters, but they were not moving forwards. They were waiting for a surge to carry them over the bar safely. Anne knew these waters were often more dangerous than the ones further out, and that the boats were not out of danger yet, especially in this weather. "They have to wait for a wave that doesn't break," she explained nervously.