Coming home that night, Hannah was exhausted. It was late, and she felt sure she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She couldn't wait for all these summer visitors to disappear from Dalen, so things could be slow again.

She walked along the street to Magda's, marveling at the sight of stars glittering over the rooftops. There was such beauty here in the city, as she'd never experienced in Chell. She took a turn, approaching the steps of Magda's, and came to a stop.

Someone was seated on the steps, waiting. Her brother. And he didn't look happy.

Hannah stepped forward, gazing down at him. "I wasn't expecting to see you here," she stated, pulling her shawl around herself.

He said nothing.

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Probably an hour or more."

"I'm sorry. You should have come over to Jono's instead."

"Perhaps I should," he said, rising slowly to his feet. "Speak to Jono myself and ask him what kind of a man he is, to make you work so late."

"It's not that late." She tried to go past him, but he refused to move.

"I never liked you working at that place, but this is too much."

"Oh, please, not again."

"It's not right, Hannah, and you know it."

"You worry too much, you know that?"

"Look, this isn't Chell where you can walk around as you please. I'm on the guard. I've heard some of the things that happen on the streets. You don't know what you're doing."

"I've been at Jono's almost two months now – "

"And I think you should stop."

"Stop? I'm not going to stop. Let's remember, first of all, that I'm the elder one here, not you. And secondly ... "

"What?"

"I want a place of my own."

He blinked at this.

"I don't want to live at Magda's forever, you know. I need to work longer hours, so I can get the money for a place."

"Why didn't you tell me about this? If we combine what we have, I'm sure we'd have enough."

She paused, a little surprised. "Do you really mean that?"

"It's what you want, isn't it?"

"But it's your money."

"This is a good use for it as any. We'll share it, share the money and the house. That should work for both of us." He tilted his head, studying her face. "Well? What do you think?"

"How much would a very small house cost us each month?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure I can find out."

"The girls at work might know."

"We'll ask around," he agreed. "Anyway, I'll be getting my next payment soon."

"Me as well."

"All the same, I still don't like these long hours of yours."

"It's for a purpose," she said pointedly.

He made an annoyed sound, skipping off the step. "We'll talk about this again later. I'll come to Jono's, since it seems you're hardly here anymore."

"Rio," she chided, but he shrugged her off.

He waved an arm, walking off without any answer. Hannah shook her head to watch him, before going inside. Fancy being treated like a child – by her own brother! Rio, the brashest of boys.

She went upstairs, collapsing heavily on her bed – too heavily, actually. She heard the sound of something snap, and suddenly, the bed caved in, depositing her on a hard lump of floor. "Argh!" she cried, rubbing her backside. She heard some upset shuffling from the room below her, and then someone's voice: 'Stop fooling around up there!'

"Right," she murmured, sorely getting to her feet. "That was my fault." She paused, taking a look at the bed. It wasn't entirely broken, just a part of it. Even so, there was no way she could sleep on it now. She made a groan, pulling off the pillows and sheets and laying them on the floor. Hadn't her Ma once said a hard floor was good for the back? With any luck, she'd wake up more rested than usual.

She blew out all the candles save one, then lay down, glancing guiltily at the ruined bed. She supposed she had better offer to pay for that. She might be half-poor, but she couldn't try to pass off such a thing to nuns.

In the morning, she looked around for Sister Vicki, but could only find her friend Dana instead. "I wasn't sure who to tell," she said sheepishly.

"Why? What's happened?" Sister Dana asked, her arms full of papers and books, little notes shedding from the pile.

"It's just that I – I broke my bed."

"You broke your bed?" she repeated, a little loudly.

Hannah blinked, getting even more embarrassed. "It was an accident. I will gladly pay for it. But who should I speak to?"

Sister Dana didn't seem satisfied though. "How did you break it?"

"I don't know. It just happened."

Sister Dana squinted at her, like a suspicious parent. What else did she want Hannah to say? She'd already admitted it was her fault.

"So ... will you help me?" Hannah tried to prompt her.

The sister pushed back her headdress, doing a cool nod. "I'll speak to the Mother Superior. I'm sure she'll understand."

Hannah fiddled with her coin pouch. "Perhaps you could pass her some money for it – "

"No, no, that's quite alright. Please just try not to let it happen again."

"I – of course."

The older nun gave her a stiff smile, before turning away.

Well. That was strange. She took off, heading to Jono's to have a quick breakfast with the girls. She was always the last to arrive, and getting penalties for lateness was annoyingly common. Today though, Jono didn't seem to notice her entry, with all the noise the girls were making.

"How long has it been, Ginia?" Deedee was asking the black-haired girl.

"Must be two years by now."

"Such patience!"

"Ginia," Sora piped up, from where she was rocking in her chair. "The man's been stringing you along for too long now. Why not give your attentions to someone more deserving?"

"You know how I feel about him, Sora."

"But I do not know why."

"Love, that's why."

Hannah crept up to the table, trying to blend in. "What's going on?"

"Hannah," Ginia piped up. "I'm so happy this morning."

"How come?"

"Because her grand love has come back to Dalen," Sora answered, patting her pinned blonde hair. It looked like a yellow beehive. "After a long absence."

"I received the letter last night," Ginia said, not at all shy as she showed it to Hannah.

It was a long piece, crossing three pages, with fine black writing that told of a strong hand and a smitten heart.

"He's quite a one for poetry," Hannah commented.

"Probably not his own," Sora said airily.

"When do you expect him?" Hannah asked.

"Any day now. He's a trader, so he'll be coming in a big group."

"He's quite handsome," Deedee told her, before turning back to Ginia. "Do you think he'll finally propose this time?"

"Oh, I do hope so."

"Alright, alright," Jono interrupted. "I pay you girls to work, not chatter. Get up, get up."

Groaning, the lot of them rose to their feet, although Hannah had barely taken anything to eat. She reached for a roll just as Jono leaned over to her. "Oh, and don't think I didn't see you sneaking in, Hannah. That's another ten gold."

Oh damn! She made a face, biting off her roll as he strolled back to the counter. She supposed it was just as well that she accept her brother's help. If she had to use her own money, she'd probably have to work months before she could afford to rent anywhere.

Over the next week, the girls of Jono's looked out eagerly for Ginia's mysterious lover. Every time a man came in asking for her by name, she perked up hopefully. But it was never him, not for several days.

Then finally, he came one night after dinner, while the girls were busy cleaning up after the crowd. Hannah spotted him first – a dark-skinned, wiry man. He and his friends wore expensive but funny foreign clothes. He hid his face in a silver cowl, while the others had feathered hats and shiny shirts.

Over in a corner, Deedee did a gasp. She leapt over to Ginia, turning the girl right around so she could see.

Everyone stopped – even Jono off by the bar – to watch the little drama unfold. It was kind of sweet really, the way Ginia raced across the room, throwing herself into the stranger's arms. The man laughed brightly, putting his hands around her, and his friends behind him clapped – matched by all of Jono's girls.

Hannah stayed in place, watching as the group rolled towards the largest table. Jono came over, cocking a smile at the lead. "Good to have you back, Raul," he greeted, as warmly as if he were a friend.

"It is good to be back, Sir," he answered, his voice with a slight accent. "I cannot express just how much." He leaned towards Ginia – his Ginia – grasping her hand and pulling her to him.

Hannah lowered her eyes, but then Jono waved her over, seeing as she was nearest. "Take orders, girl," he told her. It should have been Ginia's section, but clearly, neither Raul nor Jono expected her to work.

Hannah pasted on the most energetic smile she could muster, going round the table while Ginia settled in Raul's lap, the two sharing whispered words.

" ... how long I've waited for this day," she managed to overhear from him.

"I was afraid you'd forgotten me."

"Forgotten you? How could I?"

"How could I help fearing the worst? How would I know if anything ever ... ?"

"Faith, my love. With faith. And I know you have kept it. I know you have kept yourself for me."

Wonder if he kept himself for her? Hannah wondered idly, as she went off to pass the orders to Stephanie.

It did seem to her though, that this foreign man seemed very happy with Ginia. He was perfectly attentive to her the whole night, and treated her with a respect most men in Jono's did not. These two truly were in love.

Hannah was happy for her friend. But what if the two did end up marrying? Wouldn't he take Ginia away? Then Hannah would lose her closest friend here at Jono's.

Looking at the couple, Hannah wondered if anyone else had had the same thought. She glanced at Jono, and saw that his face was bleak. "Something wrong, Jono?" she asked, following his eyes to Raul's table.

"No," he said, frowning innocently.

"If Ginia were to ever leave here ... would you be very upset?"

He paused, leaning against the counter to stare at her.

"Well?"

"Hannah ... "

"Yes?"

"Clean up." He pointed to a freshly vacated table.

Hannah drooped, going on her way. So much for getting Jono to admit his feelings – assuming he even had feelings.

That night, Raul and his group were the last to leave Jono's. Hannah and the others watched as he – very openly – kissed her goodbye, promising to be back the next night.

Sure enough, they returned the next evening, and the next few evenings, most religiously. Hannah sometimes helped again to take orders from them, and after a while found herself starting to like Raul and his friends. They were of a better class than most of Jono's customers - dressed better, tipped better, and all in all had better manners. They were always lively, but not to the point of being unruly. And she even started growing used to their strange clothes and they way they drawled.

That week, she received her second pay – three hundred eighty, even more than her brother's, after all the adding and cutting. "Good work, Hannah," Jono commented as he passed her the bag, without meeting her eye.

She kept it all away in a small box in her room at Magda's. So far, the bed was still not fixed, and she wondered if she ought to speak to Sister Dana again – or Vicki, if she could find her.

Before long, her brother came looking for her, visiting Jono's alone one night. She was taking an order when he came in, and didn't even notice as he sidled up to her.

"Hello," Rio sang in greeting, and she and everyone at the table stared at him.

"Rio," she went, embarrassed. "Excuse me." She took his arm, pulling him away. "Don't do that."

"Sorry. I couldn't resist. How are you?"

"Well, you've not come at a good time. But then, there never is a good time." She trailed off to the kitchen, and he followed, sending Jono a nod.

"I think I've found us a place, Hannah."

"What? Already?"

"It's a walk down from here, on the way to the Tanners' house. Middle of the street, ugly rooms, but the rent's affordable, and the leaser's quite a nice woman."

Hannah was utterly surprised. "And how did you find out about this place?"

"Well, I asked Captain Droy, then he asked Captain Tanner, and Captain Tanner asked someone else – well, you know."

"Oh."

"A lot of people have helped us. Anyway, I told Mrs. Baines I would bring you to see the place as soon as you're able." He paused, taking a look around. Hannah noticed Raul and his group eyeing him, for he stood out in his guards' uniform. "When are you able?"

"I could speak to Jono and ask him. What time is best?"

"Afternoons, she said."

Hannah nodded, turning to the bar. "Jono?"

"Yes, I know what you want. You're right in front of me, I heard you talking."

"Well, could you let me off for a day then? My brother and I are looking for a place to rent."

"You know now is a bad time to be asking for that, Hannah."

"But it's important. If we can find a place of our own ... well, it'd be better for me. It'd be nearer for me to come to work."

"So you wouldn't be late all the time?"

She blinked, and was aware of her brother glaring at the older man. "Please, Jono."

"I tell you what. Take the morning and the afternoon tomorrow, but come in as soon as you're done. You see how busy it is nowadays, especially with Raul and his friends here every night," he gestured to their table, then blinked as he saw them making their way out, despite Ginia's pleas for them to stay. "Awfully early of him," Jono noted.

"Alright," Hannah said. "I'll come in the evening. Thank you, Jono." She turned to her brother, leading him away. "There. All settled."

"All settled!" he repeated, shaking his head. "I've never known a stingier man."

"Rio, please."

"If anyone deserved a proper day of rest, it's you, you know. And he couldn't even give you that."

"Don't make things worse. Anyway, we all work hard here."

"That's because you have a slave driver at the head."

She gave him a warning look, and he waved his arm at her. "Ah, alright, alright. I won't say anymore."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll come to Magda's in the day, pick you up. Then we can go together."

She nodded, patting his shoulder before he went away. At least now, they seemed to be getting somewhere in this city.