She’d not settled on a firm plan by the time she reached the Donnelly home, but she’d a few ideas rattling about in her knowledge box. Her spirits were light enough to offer a genuine smile and a growing bit of hope when Vera opened the door and welcomed Gemma inside.

“How did your new job treat you, then?” Vera asked.

Gemma moved slowly, keeping to her friend’s pace. “Weren’t a terrible day, and it ain’t a terrible bit of work.”

“Will you keep at it, then, do you think?”

That was the question tickling the back of her brain. “The distance is too far to cover every day from Finsbury.” But that distance also put her far from Southwark, which was safer. Still, Uncle Silas’s mark had been on that building nearly all the way to Marylebone.

The aroma of cooked potatoes and onions filled the house. Gemma thought she smelled bacon as well. If not for the apple she’d eaten, her stomach would’ve rejoiced far too loudly.

“Are you certain I ain’t imposing—two suppers in two nights?”

Vera shook her head firmly. “For my part, I’d have you eat with us every night. I see few people now that I ain’t got m’print shop. I like having company.”

They stepped into the sitting room where Baz was gabbing with Brogan.

“You’re meant to be seeing patients for an hour yet,” she said when he looked up at her.

“Dr. Fairbairn agreed to tend to anyone who came by the house. I’ve put up a sign letting visitors know.” He moved to where she stood. “I wanted to make certain I had supper with you.”

Her heart started fluttering, seeing as it had no sense of reality. Love wasn’t part of this; she knew that well enough. People in difficulties had always pulled at Baz’s compassion. And he was a good and loyal friend. She’d not let herself see more than that in any of this.

“Were you in need of something?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Of knowing that you were safe, of knowing if this new job will work out, of seeing for myself that you’re less burdened than you were last night.”

Baz was making it devilishly hard to remember what was best for her heart. He’d always been kind, but she knew herself to be just molasses-brained enough to believe that kindness was something deeper.

“Are you certain you didn’t come on account of being full clammed and knowing everyone in this flat can cook a filling meal?”

“I am hungry,” he acknowledged. “But I also can cook a filling meal. I came for the company more than the food.”