Loretta's target Builder was only a few blocks away, leaving her wishing for more time to clear her head after such a difficult conversation. The example of her parents and especially her grandparents, not to mention her own past attempts, had given her more than enough reason to avoid the very situation she was in. Worrying about what a man would think.
Gemma had not been the happy, kind woman she was now when Loretta's grandfather was alive. He grudgingly kept her secret life off of Crumble to himself in return for a larger dowry than usual, but only if she promised to never make any of the things she dreamed of.
Loretta hadn't been lying about Building keeping her sane and calm. Gemma had been neither when she lived under such restrictions. Loretta often wondered if that torment had l
