A.N: As per usual I own nothing.

Laurentia was busy. Now that she was back home and Ada was settled, the residents of Cranford had wasted no time in placing their orders for new bonnets. Laurentia's life for the past few weeks had been nothing but ribbons, lace and a curious five year old. Luckily the latter was no great trial. Ada had also been busy, she somehow managed to wrap each and every person in Cranford around her little finger. She was adored and spoiled. At Miss Matty's house there was always a biscuit for her. When Mrs. Forrester visited there was a new story about "Bessie Dearest." Laurentia was not one for spoiling children rotten, yet she figured that every once in a while was acceptable, and Ada had had a hard life before Cranford and deserved to know some of life's honest pleasures.

Right at this moment though Laurentia needed a pair of extra hands. It was baking day and Ada was in the kitchen helping the maid of all work with baking a batch of biscuits. Oat and raisin, if Laurentia was correct. Mrs. Jamieson was expecting a fitting though and Laurentia had dropped some pins which she could not find. Laurentia was not comfortable leaving the house with pins on the floor in case Ada came in to play and caught herself on one. She decided to have Ada run a note to Mrs. Jamieson; she would be safe, cautious eyes followed her wherever she went in case she should fall or get too close to a nearby horse. Laurentia sighed in frustration and got up to write out the note of explanation before going into the kitchen.

Ada was covered in flour.She even had some on her forehead. How she managed to get it there Laurentia was not sure. Can nothing go right today? Laurentia sighed once more, told Ada to stay there and went to fetch her another pinafore. Once Ada was cleaned up, Laurentia ushered her through the kitchen door while giving strict instructions to give Mrs Jamieson the note and then return straight home.

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Ada was skipping home, midway through a daydream. The biscuits would nearly be done, they had gone in the oven just as Mummy came in the kitchen. Warm biscuits and a glass of milk while Mummy read some of the story Captain Brown gave her sounded really good.

A man was tying his horse at the post near the market cross. He looked up at Ada and beckoned her over. Ada was not sure, Mummy had always told her not to talk to strangers, but this man looked nice enough. She went over to him slowly and curtsied. The man crouched down so that he was at her eye level. "Hello there. Now I was wondering if you could help me. I am looking for a lady, her name is Miss Laurentia Galindo. Do you know her?" Ada nodded shyly. "There now, that is jolly good! Do you think you could take me to her?" Ada nodded again and gestured down the street. The man smiled and held out his arm for her to take. Ada had seen ladies hold the arm of gentlemen in London, and they always looked so lovely. Ada wanted to be lovely too. She took his arm, even though she had to reach up to do so, and lead him towards home.

~/~

Mr Carter was glad to be home. He rounded the corner onto the Main Street. At the other end a man and his daughter were walking arm in arm. It was a sweet sight. He stopped and nodded to a few of the ladies in town who rhapsodised about his recovery, and enquired about his well being. He listened to them politely and answered their questions before taking his leave, he had someone to see.

As he neared Miss Galindo's doorstep he heard raised voices. The door had been left open, which was most unusual. He could see a man was towering over Miss Galindo, yelling at her. Mr. Carter could not quite make out what he was saying, but he did know for certain that he had never seen the man before. All too soon the man turned away, upon seeing Mr. Carter he nodded stiffly, and then said over his shoulder, "I will be in Cranford for another week yet Laurentia, do not mistake me." And with that, he left.

Mr. Carter was stunned. He took in the scene before him. Miss Galindo was standing in the corner, her hair escaping the pins. She was breathing heavily, a hand on her stomach. He stepping in the room and her eyes darted over to him. They stared at each other a moment, but it was broken by a soft whimper from the corner. His eyes followed Miss Galindo as she turned. To his astonishment he saw a child. Who was she? She was crying at any rate. As he stepped into the room, he saw Miss Galindo bend and pick the girl up. He could hear her make soothing sounds, but the girl was not having it.

"I did not mean to. He asked to see you," the girl took a shuddering breath against Miss Galindo's shoulder, "he was nice Mummy, sorry. Sorry Mummy."

Mummy? That was not possible. No doubt he would get an explanation about the girl soon enough. Right now though, he needed to know who that man was. "Miss Galindo, that man just now. Who was he?" Miss Galindo's eyes landed on him once more, only this time with a haunted look about them.

"Mr. Blackwood."

A.N: Hello! I'm so so sorry this update has been such a long time in the making. The story is still alive and happening! I'm hoping to get another chapter out later today. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed and followed the story, it mean a great deal. Also just letting you know that I'm thinking of starting an Anne With an E story sometime in the future, hopefully within the next month or so- what do you guys think?