[CW: reference to domestic violence; homophobic slur]

What would alright even mean? Anne frowned. "I don't think Eli-, Mr. Crane will let 'im go this time. I think 'e might 'ave to go before a magistrate." Now that she had started, her worries spilled out of her. She hugged herself tighter.

"And this man, Rose's old boss... 'e was sayin' things. I think... I worry that Alice's 'usband... well, I think 'e's cruel. I knew 'e wasn't nice. 'e makes 'er cry and shouts at 'er and all... But I think 'e's... hurtin' 'er. Beatin' 'er. But she won't say owt. She never..." Anne gasped and burst into tears again, a habit when she was around Mrs. Blacke, it seemed.

Crying, she continued: "She never tells me anythin' anymore. But she does share secrets with Lory. But not with me! And Lory's ruinin' 'er life at the Pony, and she doesn't listen to anyone. And I worry Alice is gonna 'ave to go back with Tobias. And she's miserable and sickly and I worry she's going to die. And she doesn't love 'er bairn and it isn't natural. And that man, 'e was sayin' things about Simon. I think 'e was a so- sodomite, but I don't really get it. And I think Elijah doesn't like us anymore!"

She caught a long, shaky breath.