"I do." Lottie said. That wrinkled old haddock Ben could rage like a northern gale at her. "I'd 'ave ye stay with us if ye could." The water made a pleasing sound as it gushed from kettle to pot.

"I know I'm not yer real mam, but it'd do me eart good if ye thought of me like." Lottie said. Conscious that poor Anne had been pushed from piler to post and roundly ignored at home, she might not jump at the chance of a loving stable family "no rush, dear. Just think about it " Lottie so wanted her to jump at it.