They soon arrived outside Mrs. Gilligan’s shop, which he could hear Lady Emily declare to be “darling.” It was, rather purposefully. All the shops on the islands were so that they might draw in the tourists and the pounds sterling they tossed about without a care.

The flat above it would be far more utilitarian, though Mrs. Gilligan had taken care with it, thinking she’d be welcoming her daughter and a newly born grandbabe while her son-in-law was at sea. But Sam had sustained a minor injury last month, so they’d stayed in their little flat on the mainland, and the babe hadn’t made his or her appearance quite yet.

“Ah, my dear Reverend Mr. Tremayne,” Mrs. Gilligan called out the moment they entered the shop. She did sound a bit like Casek’s imitation of her, which made his lips twitch up. “I’ve got the flat pretty as you please for your friend.”

“So very gracious of you, Mrs. Gilligan.” He stepped away from Libby so that he could greet the middle-aged shopkeeper properly, taking her hand and clasping it between both of his. “Any good news from the mainland yet?”

Mrs. Gilligan’s smile was bright, though her laugh was rueful. “Not yet. Any day now, any day. I’m starting at every breeze, thinking it a lad from the telegraph office knocking on my door.” Her face went sober. “How’s your grandmother?”

“Improving, I think, though not quickly enough for us. We do appreciate any prayers you offer up for her.”

“Morning and night, dearovim. Morning and night.” She brightened again, her gaze scanning the rest of the group and landing unerringly upon Lady Emily. “Well now. Shall I show you the flat?”

The newcomer offered a dainty smile, as fragile looking as porcelain. “That would be delightful. Thank you, madame.”

It was, Oliver saw two minutes later, about what he’d expected. Not large by any means, but fully equipped and decorated with all the ribbons and frills a first-time grandmother with a stockroom full of hat trimmings might be expected to produce. “Charming,” according to Lady Emily, and she sounded as though she meant it.

Squeezing them all in even for a few minutes was a tight fit, but the way Sheridan and Telford leaned against the walls somehow made it clear they didn’t intend to leave again right away. Mrs. Gilligan did though, after promising to stop up after closing time to have a chat and talk about the logistics.

The door had scarcely clicked behind her before Sheridan said, “Let’s get to it, then. Which is to say, no time to lose. Am I right?”

Lady Emily looked baffled. “Get to what, exactly?”