A Place in Town

Adela took Oswin’s hand before they reached the harbour rooms, then wondered whether she had done it for him or for everyone else.

“Too much?” she asked.

He looked at their hands. “For walking? I think we’ll manage.”

“I’m being strange.”

“You’ve warned me about that already.”

She smiled. They went through the door together.

The room smelled of bread and hot tomatoes. Somebody had moved all the usual chairs against one wall and borrowed tables from a church hall; several wore protective cloths of unrelated sizes. A handwritten notice explained what the roof repairs would cost. Rain had marked one corner of the ceiling, an honest piece of evidence directly above the collection tin.

Adela had spent a morning here two winters ago repairing torn seat covers. Sennen had once run a stall in this room and miscounted the float so enthusiastically that they had thought it profitable until…