That evening, another worried father stepped into the police station. Ben had calmed down throughout the day. He still felt Anne shouldn't have accepted the corset from Mrs. Blacke, but he did feel some guilt for the shouting at he had given her, for part of that anger had been directed at Mrs. Blacke and at himself.

When Anne hadn't come home for tea, Ben had started to worry, and had gone to check Rose's and Maggie's. Not finding them there, he and the children had walked around town, looking for her, and he had sent a telegraph to Castleton, though it probably wouldn't reach Alice and Tobias until the morning. It was two hours later now, and there was still no trace of Anne. Ben was very anxious now. What if she had run away again - all by herself this time? What if she had done herself harm? He had upset her so. What if she was in bad company?

Ben approached the desk.