This got me, even though I knew what was coming from the start. Shaz's mum being there--Shaz has been wanting to see her so long, it must be her--made me happy in that achy way. The back door of that pub must see a lot of people coming in to wait.

As for *sketches* of Annie--I think the word I need here is, "Oh, Sam."

I adore that she thinks of Molly there, of beginnings in the midst of endings. the habit of brain chemistry is so very Alex, qualifiers all the way down, and equal parts homesick and analytical to the last.