The girls of Jono’s were happy to have Hannah back. They came to hug and fuss over her, and she thought even Sora showed a smile. Only Ginia kept away, arms crossed and no feeling on her face.

“At last,” Jono called across the room. “We thought you’d never come back to us.”

“Of course I’d come back. How could I stay away from all this – ?” she gestured around at the grimy walls and tables.

“Are you all better now?” Deedee asked her.

“Yes, I am. And very eager to work.”

“Now I remember why I liked you,” Jono piped up, raising a glass to her.

“Did a lot happen while I was away?”

“No,” Deedee answered. “Oh – but the Captain did come looking for you.”

She nodded slightly to that. “Yes, I know.”

“He went to see you, did he?”

“Just out of courtesy.” She brushed past them, and Jono cleared his throat, ordering them to return to work.

Hannah took to doing the sweeping, and Ginia suddenly joined her. “How have you been, Ginia?” she asked carefully.

“Alright, I suppose.”

She waited, thinking carefully before her next question. “Have you ... seen him?”

Her friend glanced over. “Of course not. Why?”

“I thought you meant to.”

“No. Father was right,” Ginia interrupted, shaking her head. “I need to forget about him. I need to return to my life.”

Hannah lowered her broom, surprised. “Really?”

“Of course,” Ginia answered, without looking at her. Was this really the same girl who’d insisted she still loved Raul, that feelings didn’t fade? What had happened? What had changed?

For the rest of the day, Ginia stayed out of spirits, and Hannah had no idea what to say or do for her. No one could help the poor girl, she realized. She only hoped Ginia would one day find another, more deserving man. She was still young after all. At least she still had a chance.

Summer was nearing its end now, and business at Jono’s was starting to slow. They closed up early that evening, and as Hannah plodded home, she met with Mrs. Baines again downstairs.

“You’re a popular one these days, Miss Hannah. Plenty of visitors.”

“Oh?”

“A young lady came to see you this afternoon. So I told her of course you were at work.”

“A young lady?”

“Mrs. Tanner, she called herself. Very young to be married, though.”

“Alyssa? Came here?” She was disappointed. She wished she could have been there to receive her friend. Perhaps Alyssa had heard about her being ill and meant to cheer her up. That sounded just like her.

Hannah thanked the landlady, going upstairs. It was too late to pay Alyssa a visit now, but perhaps tomorrow, she could go, after the lunch crowd? It wasn’t far; she could promise Jono to be back in an hour.

“Where are you going?” Deedee, overhearing her conversation with Jono the next morning, wanted to know.

“I’m going to see my friend later. The girl who came in here once, you remember.”

“The rich one? Oh, yes. Makes me wonder why you even work here at all, Hannah.”

She saw Jono flicking an eye at them, a little insulted.

“Excuse me,” she said, going off before they could say anything else.

Afterwards that afternoon, she waited until the lunch crowd had faded before taking her leave. Ginia was greeter that day, and Hannah waved goodbye to her, getting only a faint smile in response.

She ran down the street, skirts bustling noisily, her shawl sliding and shifting over her arms. The people of Dalen blurred around her, and the air tasted sharp, rolling around in her lungs. It was a good feeling, to be healthy and alive again.

She could see the Tanner house, its flowerboxes and pointy-hat roof. The colors swam together in front of her eyes, like a drunk rainbow. Suddenly, she felt sick. She slowed near a ditch, leaning over and vomiting something watery. Her head pounded, and her eyes squeezed tears.

Rio. Macks. Somebody ...

She kneeled, clutching her head. She just had to breathe, wait. She’d be alright. But, oh, how could she have been so stupid? She wasn’t fully recovered yet after all.

It was a few minutes before Hannah could get up again. No one seemed to have seen her sickness, and she wiped her mouth, going more slowly on her way. She felt half-dizzy as she knocked on the Tanners’ door.

“Hannah,” Alyssa came down as soon as she was told, her soft brown hair trailing behind her. “This is a surprise. I’d heard you were ill.”

“I am. I mean, I was. I’m ... not sure, really.”

“You don’t look very good,” she said, touching her cheek. “Did you come from home? I tried to visit you.”

“I’m from Jono’s, actually.”

“You’re working today? But you’re all pale.”

“But I was fine yesterday, and this morning. Could I have some water, Alyssa?”

“Of course,” she said, motioning to a servant. “Come, you’d better sit down.”

They went into the sitting room, and Alyssa eased her friend into a chair. “Just calm yourself. Take a minute to rest.”

Hannah nodded, rubbing her temple. “I’m sorry I wasn’t at home when you came to see me.”

“Oh, think nothing of that. But I was worried about you. Suzanne and I even brought some medicine to give you.”

Hannah looked up, confused. “Who?”

“She’s a friend. I was hoping to introduce the two of you yesterday. She should be coming down soon, and you can meet her.”

Friend? What friend? Didn’t Alyssa say she knew no one in this city?

The servant came back with a glass, and Hannah drank steadily. Alyssa, standing over her, wiped damp hair from her brow. “Goodness, I really don’t think you should be working today.”

“I’ll be fine,” she answered, aware of footsteps on the staircase. She turned, watching as a tall, older woman entered, suited in silks, her dark hair swept off her head to show stones on her ears and neck. Where Alyssa was warm and gentle-faced, this woman had a pride to her that Hannah didn’t like.

“Look, Suzanne, Hannah has come,” Alyssa announced.

“She looks awful.”

“She’s still unwell, apparently.”

“How do you do, Miss Iver,” Suzanne remembered her manners, bowing her head. “Poor circumstances, these.”

“Suzanne and I became friends some months ago in Madsey,” Alyssa answered, going to sit across the room. Hannah watched as Suzanne joined her.

“Madsey?”

“Where I met Stefan. Their families have been friends for years.”

“Oh,” Hannah said quietly. “You must have been at the wedding then.”

“I was. And it was beautiful.”

“Suzanne, it was only a small affair,” Alyssa reminded her.

“It was you and Stefan together that made it beautiful,” she answered, and Alyssa smiled at that, looking shy.

In that moment, Hannah realized what was wrong. She didn’t belong here. She didn’t belong in Alyssa’s world. She didn’t have the money or the beauty, and she didn’t understand their society. How could she have thought she might actually become Alyssa’s friend?

“My own husband passed away some years ago,” Suzanne said right then, drawing Hannah from her thoughts.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“I am just happy to be among friends again. It’s been years since I was last in Dalen. I used to come here often as a girl, sometimes together with the Tanners.”

“How long will you stay?”

“For as long as Alyssa will have me.”

“You know I do not look forward to your leaving,” Alyssa told her, before looking to Hannah. “You should dine with us tonight, if you can. Just us women.”

“Thank you, but I’d have to work.”

“Hannah, you’re in no state to work.”

“Really, it’s alright. It’s just a bad spell.”

“You live with your brother, is that right?” Suzanne asked her.

“I do. My brother, Rio.”

“He’s a student under Stefan and Macks,” Alyssa added.

“Ah, yes,” Suzanne nodded. “I hear you and Macks are good friends.”

Hannah glanced at the older woman, thinking she heard something under the woman’s voice. Surprise? Amusement? “He’s been very good to my brother.”

“A man of honor,” Suzanne said, and she had to bite her lip to that.

“He’s away right now, I understand,” Alyssa noted. “Stefan told me. He’s gone home to see his sister and brother-in-law in Dyon. Did you know this, Hannah?”

“Rio mentioned it, yes.”

“It’s a shame,” Suzanne sighed. “I was looking forward to seeing him. I shall have to wait till he returns.”

Hannah said nothing, pressing a hand to her eyes.

“Are you alright, Hannah?” Alyssa asked, rising to come to her. “Do you want to lie down?”

“No, no. If anything, I should be going.”

“Are you sure?”

Hannah stood, curling her shawl around herself. “I promised I’d be back within the hour, so yes, I must go.”

“Well. Alright then. But promise you’ll take care.”

“I will. I’ll be fine. Thank you, Alyssa.”

“Let’s meet again when you are better. In the meantime, let Stefan know if we can be of any help.”

Where had she heard those words before?

They led her to the door, where she strode out, looking back at them as she moved down the walk. Alyssa and Suzanne, like sisters, a perfect pair. 

...

That week, Hannah had a surprise visit during her work – one to remind her of home.

“Hannah!” Deedee called from the doorway, and she turned, seeing a young man and a boy standing there. Kurt and Fadden.

Hurriedly, she set down her tray, crossing the floor and sharing a hug with Kurt while Fadden stared on. ”I can’t believe you’re here!” she gasped, not caring that everyone was looking at them. “When did you get into Dalen?”

“Last night.”

“Is your father here too?”

“No, it’s just the two of us come to see you and your brother.”

Hannah blinked for a moment. “And ... Melanie?”

“She’s at home, in the care of my mother. I would have brought her along, but I didn’t think it was a good idea, you know, because of the baby.”

“Right,” she said, her voice dropping a little. “Um, I hope she is doing well?

“Oh, yes, very well. I’m the impatient one. I can’t stand that there’s still so many months to go.”

“Well. It’s good to see you – both of you. Does Rio know you’re here?” she asked, glancing a minute at Fadden.

“Not yet. The nuns at Magda’s told us to look for you here first.”

“Magda’s?”

“We thought we might stay in the city for a while,” Kurt explained. “Spend a few days here with you and Rio.”

“That’s good. I mean, I’m sure he’ll be happy, although he’s usually busy with training.” She paused, aware of Jono watching them. “Well, since you’re here, have a seat. I’ll treat you both to a drink.”

“Thank you, Hannah,” Kurt beamed.

She showed them to the best table she had, going to fetch a jug of ale and two mugs.

“So how is everything at home?” she asked as they both sipped. “Are your parents well?”

“Oh, yes,” Kurt answered.

“And you and Melanie have moved into our house?”

He looked up, eyes wider. “We will stay in it until you return.”

“I don’t think I will return, Kurt.”

“I hope that isn’t true.”

“I’m renting a place of my own now, together with Rio. You should come see it.”

“Well. How about tonight?”

“That’s fine, except I don’t get off until late. Perhaps you could come back here in the evening, and then we can go together after I finish work?”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

After they had left, Deedee approached Hannah, looking disappointed. “Honestly, Hannah, where do you find all these men?”

“He’s married, Deedee,” Hannah answered, wiping her brow.

“I could always settle for being mistress.”

Hannah watched her walk away, not sure if it was a joke or not. She went off to tend to her customers, but she couldn’t help thinking about Kurt. She still had such a tenderness in her for her old friend, even knowing what he’d done to Belle Carlton.

She waited keenly that night for his return, and sure enough, he came, shortly before closing. “Where’s Fadden?” she asked.

“He didn’t want to come.”

“Oh.”

“You know how my brother is.”

“Well, have you had any dinner? We have some leftovers we could bring back if you like.”

“I’d love some. The food at Magda’s isn’t very ... ”

“I know,” she laughed. “Hold on a minute.” She went into the kitchen, putting together bits and pieces of unfinished food. Jono was not one for waste, and for the sake of saving money, she had long gotten over her disgust of eating customers’ scraps. She bid goodbye to Jono and the girls, leading the way outside.

“So where is this house of yours?” he asked, following her down the dim street.

“Not far. Straight down this way. You should be able to find your way back to Magda’s easily afterwards.”

“Right.” He paused for a small moment. “Will Rio be around?”

“No. He stays at the station, so he only comes to see me once in a while.”

He nodded, silently eyeing her as she walked.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing. It’s just – you seem so different now.”

“Do I?”

“If I didn’t know you, I’d swear you were a local.”

She laughed. “Perhaps I’m more of a city girl than I thought.”

“I would hate that.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the old Hannah Iver I liked.”

“I’m still the same,” she assured him.

He said nothing in answer, staring ahead. Soon, Hannah spotted the shape of Mrs. Baines’ building. They snuck inside, and Kurt looked around fascinatedly as they climbed the stairs.

Up on the fourth floor, she opened her door, becoming swallowed in darkness. She struck a match, while Kurt eased past her. He pushed open the window, letting in a fall of moonlight. 

“Not bad,” he commented, as she got some light going for him to see around him. “Not bad at all.”

“Of course, it’s nothing to the house back in – well, never mind.” She shut the door, crossing the floor to the kitchen. “I’ll get us plates.”

A little while later, they sat side by side at the table, sharing the leftovers.

“You know, I’m surprised,” Hannah spoke as she chewed. “That your parents would let you come.”

“Why wouldn’t they?”

“I don’t know. I just thought they’d want you at home.”

“We’re all concerned about you.”

“I’d say I’m doing well here.”

“But, Hannah, do you really think ... this was what your Ma and Da would have wanted for you?”

She stopped, glancing at him. “I really can’t answer that.”

“You were so set on coming to Dalen to be with your brother. And now I’m here, I see nothing has changed. You’re still alone, working so hard.”

“I’m alright, really.”

“I would just feel better if I knew there was someone looking out for you.”

“There are people doing that, you just don’t know it.” She raised a hand, hiding a yawn.

“You’re tired,” he realized.

“I suppose I am. And I have to get up early in the morning.”

“Perhaps I should leave you. It’s late.”

She got up, seeing him to the door. “If I see Rio, I’ll tell him to go to Magda’s to find you and Fadden.”

“Please do.” He cocked a smile at her, before heading down the hallway.

Hannah listened as his feet faded down the stairs, finally disappearing into night’s silence. She rushed to the window, watching as he headed back towards Magda’s.

Why did he ever choose Melanie? He’d always shown himself to care deeply for her, Hannah felt, and yet ... had the idea never occurred to him?

Perhaps it had. Perhaps if she’d been beautiful, she would be the wife now. She would be his.