Emma sighed, swirling her spoon in her tea. "I'm sorry." She said, her gaze still on her cup. "About earlier."
Shelagh shook her head. "It's okay, Emma." She said. She leaned over and reached for Emma's hand. "I'm sorry too."
Emma smiled. Looking at the woman in front of her, she decided to share a bit of her past. "I never liked dresses." She said. "Ever since I was a child, I wore trousers."
"You were allowed that?"
"Kids don't generally wear dresses, except on special occasions, or you know, when they're rich." Emma sighed. "The last time I wore a dress, was at my father's funeral."
Shelagh squeezed the hand of the teenager who had started to mean so much to her. "I'm so sorry for your loss." Her heart broke for the girl. So young, and already lost so much.
Emma shrugged. "I didn't say that to get your sympathy, I just wanted you to understand. I'm not a big fan of dresses. I don't have a lot of good memories of wearing them."
Shelagh smiled. "We'll have to make some new ones, then."
The rest of their conversation was cut off when the waitress brought their meal over. Emma had a ham and turkey pie with chips, and Shelagh went for the beef and gravy pie with chips.
They ate their meals slowly, and talked about less important things, both enjoying the time they spend together.
After their lunch had been cleared away, Shelagh picked up her bag. She rummaged through it. "I made a… Aha." She exclaimed, holding up a piece of paper.
"We still need to get you a new pair of shoes." Shelagh said, reading off of her list. "And a school uniform."
"I don't want to go to school." Emma protested.
"I understand, dear. But…"
"I don't think you do." Emma sighed. "I'm not like you."
"Emma, don't…"
"No, please. Hear me out." Emma took a deep breath and started again. "I'm not like you. When Tim saw me, he knew instantly that I wasn't from here. It wasn't just the clothes, it's all of me. I'll always be ahead of everyone, and it's not because I'm smarter. I'm not. It's because I was taught advanced things. I don't know how to be like you." She sighed. "Also, isn't it dangerous? I mean, what if someone finds out? What would they do to me?"
"We won't let that happen."
"You can't promise me that." Emma sighed. "I don't mean to be rude, but you really can't. The more people who know, the greater the risk. I don't even know how long I'll be here."
"I know. But you've seen how important education is to us." Shelagh sighed. "Are you worried about this afternoon? Is that what this is about?"
Emma grimaced. "Maybe a little. I just can't help but worry that they won't accept me."
"I understand that." Shelagh smiled. "But they care about us, and they will care about you, too." She reached for Emma's hand and squeezed it. "And about school? I'll have to talk to your father about this, but I'm sure we can work something out."
Emma paused. "Why do you do that?"
Shelagh frowned. "Do what?"
"Refer to him as my dad. Yesterday, he called Tim my brother. You've only known me for a day. I guess I just don't understand."
Shelagh smiled. "Remember when you said you felt a connection with Timothy? I felt one too, with you." She squeezed Emma's hand. "In our hearts, you're already one of us."