Jefferson was sitting at the table with a cup of tea when Emma came downstairs. She smiled at him, suddenly feeling shy. Jefferson felt a fluttering in his stomach, then averted his eyes.

"sit down" He motioned to a seat across the table

Emma looked at him. This looked serious. His face was drawn and grim

"Emma, I think it would be best for both of us, if you left."

"You want me to go?" she felt a dull ache beginning somewhere in her chest

"I need you to go"

"But, the hat, grace?"

"That's irrelevant. You have your own life to be getting back too. I made a mistake, this was a mistake" he indicated the empty space between them

"so I can go?"

"now if possible" He still would not meet her eyes

Jefferson's words were coming from a million miles away, draping over her like a cloak of lead. She stood and slowly turned.

"Emma" her heart leapt

"Don't come back. I don't need, I don't want, you here, I'm better alone"

Emma turned And fled, the doors were unlocked ad she ran thought them. She didn't start crying till she was in her car. Jefferson walked slowly upstairs. He sat in form of the telescope. He wanted to watch Emma drive away, to see her one last time. Instead he fiddled with the brocade on the seat cushion. He looked around, his eyes glazing over. The hatter was not alone. The madness was back.