"Searchlight is only enlightened enough to leave me to my own devices," Emmy explained, a small laugh pulling her lips into a smile. "I do get the occasional religious pamphlet shoved through the mail slot, telling me of the many ways I'll be roasting in hell in the hereafter, but luckily I don't believe in their hell. No one has yet put a brick through my window, though, and I'm glad of it. I handpainted the hamsa on the plate, I'd hate to have to do it again."

She paused and frowned, a troubled look beginning to cloud her dark eyes.
"Oh, but I've been so rude," she said, shaking her head. "My name is Emmeline. Emmy, if you like. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself; you caught me in a bit of a daze, I'm afraid."

Dreams were funny things; Emmeline's most vivid often came when she was resting during her midday meditations at the shop. She'd had frightening ones, of course, about Mother, about Bailey... but none so bad as to make her seek outside help. But then, her father had taught her well enough to handle the problem herself, should it ever arrive.

"Calea ternifolia!" she said suddenly, snapping her fingers as she thought of it. "Leaf of God, you know. Good for your stomach as well, should it trouble you any more. I grow it myself, I can make you a nice tea, mix it with some Valerian root to help send you off to sleep, peppermint maybe for taste. It can be bitter and the peppermint can mask if quite well."