sailing past, about to dock at the Cobb “That is the Unity,” Colonel Birch said “I am having the ichthyosaurus shipped on it to London when it leaves tomorrow.” Despite not wanting to engage in conversation, I could not help myself “Has Mary done with her work on the specimen, then?” “It’s set in its frame, and just this afternoon she put a plaster skim around it to finish it It should be dry later, and she’ll pack it up.” “But you are not going on the Unity yourself?” I was not sure if I wanted him to stay or go, but I had to know “I will go up by coach, stopping first at Bath and Oxford to see friends.” “Now that you have what you came for, I suppose there is no reason to stay on.” Hard as I tried to keep it steady, my voice wavered I did not add that his haste to depart after securing his treasure was in poor taste Instead I kept my eyes on the waves that chopped and swayed under the window, for the tide was high I could feel Colonel Birch’s eyes on me, but I did not turn to face him My cheeks were flushed “I have very much enjoyed our conversations, Miss Philpot,” he said “I shall miss them.” I turned then and looked at him direct “Your eyes are very dark today,” he added “Dark and honest.” “I am going to go home now,” I replied, as if he had asked “No, don’t accompany me, Colonel Birch I not want you to.” I turned It seemed the entire room was watching us I went over to fetch my sister, and was truly relieved that he did not follow I believe the months after Colonel Birch’s departure were the hardest ever for the Annings—even harder than after Richard Anning died, for at least then they had the sympathy of the town Now people simply thought they had brought on their misery I first truly understood how much damage Colonel Birch had done to Mary’s reputation when, not long after, I heard for myself what people were saying I went into the baker’s one day—Bessy had forgotten to, but refused to go down the hill once more As I entered I overheard the wife of the baker—who was an Anning himself, and a distant cousin of Mary’s—say to a customer, “She spent every day on the beach with that gentleman Let him take care of her.” She chuckled crudely, but stopped when she saw me Even though no names had been mentioned, I knew whom she was referring to: It was clear from the defiant tilt of her chin, as if she were daring me to chide her for being so judgemental