"Oh, I think you could pull it off. Bet you'd glam right up," Irene assured her, and she did -- but she left it at the compliment, lest she make Nell uncomfortable or feel self-conscious.

"Coffeeshops everywhere, and not a suitable cup of tea to be found amongst any of them," she continued, grousing good-naturedly (though, admittedly, she also had not tried very hard; perhaps Peet's would have delivered.) "My shop became a much...seedier establishment than it normally is. Not my favorite."