Mr. Leif Perkins returns from his morning errands through the laundry area. The cold from the opening door will cause discomfort for the patrons and it also gives him a chance to warm his bones.

He sits down, places the large pouch on the bench as he takes off his boots and puts on his clean shoes for indoors. He winks at the two women folding laundry.

One woman respond with eye rolls while the other ignores him.

He smiles to himself, 'I've still got it. A response is means she's paying attention.'

He carries his pouch over to the counter behind the till.

Molly finishes her sale for The Grapes of Wrath. "Thank you. Come again to the Chantry House." She turns around to see a cold employee, "Thank you Mr. Perkins." She waves to get Jennifer's attention.

Jennifer looks up from her clipboard.

Molly points to Mr. Perkins and shiffers her upper body.

Jennifer smiles and nods. She places the pen inside the clip, puts clipboard under her arm to navigates tables and customers to the front of the shop. "Why Mr. Perkins you look absolutely chilled to the bone."

His grey eyebrows raise, "Tis nothing compared to the Blizzard of January 1881. Around 100 die."

"Mr. Perkins! You were not alive in 1881."

"I have heard my father mention each night this week," He grins. "I am not about to allow it to lay in my brain one more moment."

"Now I am curious about 1881. First get work with a hot cup of tea before you continue." Jennifer motions to the kitchen staff, "We have much stock to put on our depleting shelves."

Mr. Perkins smiles, "Thank you Miss. I shall." He quickly moves to the kitchen.

"I sold two more Grapes. Do we have enough or shall we put another order?"

Jennifer looks at the clipboard and points to the line item, "We do. I have been thinking about starting a return book club. They can return the book they purchased and we will give them five percent off the next new book."

"Won't that dig into our small profit?"

"It will get them to return. Most of our customers are B.P. and board in a stranger's home. They don't want to be keep to their rooms and if they do the latest release will help them from being lonely. I am going to write Julia when I have the mind to gather more information."

Molly nods and taps the large bag to her left.

"More mail?" Jennifer looks at the large pouch. She puts down her clipboard and pulls the strings to open the contents. She quickly looks for any international mail. "Molly!"

There was no need to call out her name. Molly has been at her side watching for anything other than King George VI Head. She saw it the same time and snatched it out of the Jennifer's hand.

Jennifer smiles and watches Molly head up to the residence for privacy. She notices customers at the till with purchases, "Her brother is stationed in India."

The customers nod in understanding.

While Molly remained reading her brother's letter, probably for the fourth time, Jennifer has become flooded with customers. Even Mr. Perkins swigged his tea down and came over to assist.

Once the till stopped making noise Mr. Perkins looked up at the clock, "We have about two hours before the next influx of patrons."

Jennifer looks at the now few customers remaining. Two are playing cribbage, one reading the newspaper and the fourth writing while sipping coffee. She turns to Mr. Perkins, "You are in charge until Ms. Portendorfer."

"I still don't know why you still hired her." Mr. Perkins, "I told you she was peculiar."

"I will tell," Jennifer stands tall and continues, "Ms. Portendorfer is not peculiar. She is just someone who appreciates her solitude and the company of a good book."

Mr. Perkins opens his mouth to counter.

"Mr. Perkins you of all people understand a good book and solitude. Is that not true?"

"Of course."

"Does that mean you are peculiar?"

He is stunned.

"Perhaps when Ms. Portendorfer comes in for her shift, simply ask her what she is currently reading." Jennifer walks away saying, "You are in charge Mr. Perkins. Buzz if you need assistance."

He puffs out his chest and straightens his tie, makes sure his vest is on properly and looks at himself in the mirror.

"Thank you." She is on the second step and she feels a cold hand on her elbow. She turns to see Mr. Perkins.

"Yes Mr. Perkins?"

"You forgot the mail."

Jennifer smiles, grabs the heavy mail pouch, runs upstairs while yelling back to Mr. Perkins, "Thank you."

She opens the door, places the mail pouch on the chair looking for Molly. She is being quiet as Mrs. Conard is sleeping as her long day will begin shortly. Jennifer looks at her watch, 'She should be up by now. Her shift begins soon.'

Jennifer looks around tastes the air, 'Isabella remains in bed?'. Jennifer looks at the common calendar to make sure she is not mistaken. She is not. Without hesitation, she gently knocks on Mrs. Conard's bedroom door.

Jennifer waits and knocks again, this time slightly louder.

Mrs. Conard moves and shuffles to the door.

The door opens wide enough for the two women see each other's faces. "I am so sorry Mrs. Conard but you have a shift, do you not?"

Mrs. Conard eyes are barely open, "I do but not until four."

"I am sorry to inform you it is now three-thirty."

Mrs. Conard slams the door shut and yells from inside, "Thank you! It is most considerate. I must get ready. Thank you again."

"You are most welcome. I detest being the barer of bad news." She responds back as she hears a frantic woman getting dressed. 'Best stay out of her way'.

Jennifer enters her own bedroom, locks the door, heads over to the closet and taps softly. She can hear a soft voice whispering, "Come in." Jennifer pushes back the panel, enters Molly's room and comes to her side.

"Is everything alright?"

Molly shakes her head in the affirmative.

Jennifer grabs Molly's free hand and sits quietly.

A door slams.

Jennifer and Molly follow the noise trail Mr. Conard is leaving. Open a drawer, slamming a drawer, opening a cupboard, closing a cupboard, opening the residence door, closing the residence door and speeding down the stairs.

They wait until they hear Mrs. Conard's loud sports car move down high street.

Jennifer peeks out the window, "She is even driving annoyed." She looks down at Molly, "Come!" Jennifer pulls Molly into the sunny living area.

They sit on the sofa in silence.

Jennifer patiently waits until Molly speaks. "I miss him so much."

Jennifer nods in understanding, as she feels like missing a limb without her family nearby.

"He is well, hot but well." Molly then takes the letter and reads it out loud to Jennifer.

Jennifer smiles and listens as she learns about Edward's current situation.

After Molly read the final words she looks up, "Why did he write this letter with such narrative without actually saying anything?"

"Maybe he isn't able?"

"You might be right. I am used to hearing more. I desperately want more."

Molly reads a small paragraph again. "What does that mean?"

"It does seem odd, no, it is written overtly professional." Jennifer smiles, "You brother might be compensating so you will not worry. You should respond and set him straight. Remind him you worry more if he sends another letter to as if he was your Barrister."

Molly laughs.

'Finally'

Molly grabs her writing pad, rips off the first two pages and writes a new letter. "If I am honest about our exhaustion and limited free time he will open up to me."

"Hopefully. I am going to make some tea." Jennifer stands up and catches her eye on the mail pouch. She continues to the kitchen and put on the kettle.

She returns to the living room and opens mail pouch dumping the contents on the table.

A large box lands with a thud, a smaller one softly lands. Curiosity has Molly's attention.

"What is it?"

Jennifer opens the box and looks inside. An envelope with the handwritten words "Jen & Molly".

Molly comes close to Jennifer.

Jennifer reads it out loud while Molly follows along with her eyes.

Molly laughs, "I guess they don't know what we actually do at B.P.?"

"This is something different. This time it is personal, it is family."

"May I?" Molly grabs the second box. She doesn't open the box as easily as her Jen but with one final pull she is successful. She places the contents out on the table: two pairs of wool socks, a sealed canning jar of soup, an electric blanket and a motorcycle repair manual.

Jennifer opens the manual, "I guess this is a subtle hint from our last invoice."

"We tried."

The kettle whistles.

Jennifer toss the manual on the table, "Which project do you want?"

"Why can't we do both, together?"

Jennifer pours the hot water into the teapot with a smile, "I like that. We will begin our next day off together."