Chapter TenCora took a deep breath, then coughed, the exhaust fumes and smell of coal invading her nose. She’d been caught up in the beauty of the day with its cloudless sky and birdsong, and managed to forget about the smoggy city air. Foolish move.
“Are you okay?” Van leaned forward, concern lining his face. “We could go inside the café.”
“I’m fine, but wishing I was in New Hampshire where the air smells clean. How do people live here? Especially before the war when there was more motor traffic?”
“They don’t know any better.” He offered his handkerchief. “I wouldn’t mind being in Iowa. The crowds are what get me. Too much humanity sometimes.” He shuddered. “And when I have to stuff myself into a Tube station or other shelter during a bombing raid. Ugh.”
“Besides the open spaces, what
