Mrs. Nesbitt hummed with an argument she was too disinterested to share and picked at a stray bit of string on her WVS jacket. “Having you drop dead from exhaustion will benefit none of us.”

Grace offered a mirthless chuckle.

“I don’t speak in jest,” Mrs. Nesbitt said dryly. “But with sincerity. Miss Bennett, no amount of work you do will bring him back.”

Of all the hurtful things Mrs. Nesbitt had thrown at Grace, this bite had the sharpest teeth.

Tears burned in Grace’s eyes. “Please leave.”

“You’ve told me things I needed to hear in the past, and I’m now returning the favor.” Mrs. Nesbitt’s demeanor softened. “Though it does pain me to do so, whether you believe it or not.”

As much as her barb had stung, the sudden compassion of the irascible woman only made the ache in Grace’s chest grow worse.

“I can assist you if need be, by working a day or two until you hire an assistant.” Mrs. Nesbitt sighed at the great sacrifice she was suggesting. “But you can’t keep going on like this.”

It was the same thing Mrs. Weatherford had said to Grace. It struck her suddenly where Mrs. Nesbitt’s true motivation must have originated—Mrs. Weatherford herself.

“Did Mrs. Weatherford put you up to this?” Grace asked.

Mrs. Nesbitt scoffed. “I have eyes, my dear. And you are a stiff wind shy of collapsing.”

Grace diverted her attention from the woman, not wanting to acknowledge what had been said. Mrs. Nesbitt offered nothing further and instead turned on her heel to leave.

That evening, Grace was fit to be tied with frustration over Mrs. Weatherford sending Mrs. Nesbitt—of all people—to chastise her for working too much. She pushed open the door, ready to confront the woman she’d always known to be a friend.

“Grace,” Mrs. Weatherford called out in a morose tone. “Grace, is that you?” Her footsteps sounded in the kitchen, followed by a cooing change to her voice that indicated Tabby was close at her heels.

Mrs. Weatherford pushed through the kitchen door. “Oh, Grace,” she lamented. “They’ve added cheese to the ration list now. Cheese!” Her eyes shifted heavenward.

“Did you send Mrs. Nesbitt to speak with me?” Grace asked, trying her best to keep the sharpness from her voice.

Mrs. Weatherford snorted. “I’d never send that woman to see to my personal business.”

“So you didn’t tell her to approach me about working too hard?” Grace put a hand to her hip, skeptical.