1971 Cokeworth, England*

Raindrops fell gently from the grey London sky, hardly disrupting the quiet streets. A woman, her weathered coat adorned with glistening raindrops, briskly strode along the cobblestone path with a determined pace. As she reached her destination, an aged and weathered building loomed before her, bearing a sign that read 'The Web' - a name that seemed fitting for its location on the infamous Spinners End.

Regrettably, the interior of the establishment mirrored its grimy exterior, populated by individuals of questionable character. As she ventured inside, several women cast envious glances her way, recognizing her as a new contender in their line of work. These women, varying in stature and appearance, shared a common struggle for survival.

Given that it was midday, the place was relatively quiet, but rumors from the townsfolk suggested that it would come alive after nightfall. She approached the bar and inquired about the person in charge. The bartender regarded her with a curious expression. "That would be Tobias Snape, over by the small table on the far right." She followed the bartender's gaze to locate a tall, pallid man clutching a drink.

Tobias pushed back his long, dark brown hair and regarded her with a quizzical raised eyebrow.

"My name is Julia," she declared with feigned confidence, "and I'm here seeking employment."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Well, Miss Julia, I presume you're familiar with this establishment and the responsibilities that come with it?"

Julia's gaze dropped, and a faint blush colored her cheeks as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, sir."

Tobias took another sip of his drink. "You look quite young, but there's certainly a clientele for that. How old are you, Julia?"

She met his gaze. "I've just turned sixteen."

"You are a lovely girl, Julia. Are you confident in your ability to cater to the desires of the patrons here at The Web?"

Julia blushed and offered a slight nod. "I do have some experience."

He smirked. "Excellent. I'll show you to your new room, and you can demonstrate the skills you bring to this establishment." Just as he began to rise from his chair, a loud door slam resonated from upstairs. Both their eyes turned upwards, where a young girl, no older than nine or ten, clutched a note tightly in her trembling hand, tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks.

Julia gasped. "Why is there a child here?"

The child glanced at her briefly, seemingly dismissing her presence. The man's calm demeanor and overall composure underwent a dramatic change. "PERSEPHONE! How many times have I told you not to interrupt me!?"

The little girl met his gaze with a furious glare. "Mother left us! She's actually gone this time; the note says she's left the country."

With effortless grace, Tobias retrieved the parchment from her delicate grasp. "Go back upstairs, Persephone. I have something more pressing to attend to at the moment."

"But Father—"

"It's probably just another empty threat. I wager the bothersome woman will be back before tomorrow morning."

In that one moment, Persephone wished she could believe her father, but deep down, she knew her mother was not coming back.