Annabel Lee sweeps into the Oak and Iron while Copia's reading the paper, all just-so curls and tidily embroidered blouse, a brooch in the shape of a black chess queen pinned to her vest, in search of a bowl of oatmeal and maybe some dried fruit. But at the sight of Copia, she pauses and does a pretty obvious up-and-down look.

"Another newcomer? I'd say you came at a bad time, but I'm not sure there's a good time."

Her accent is British, high class, almost snobby.