Running an orphanage is not easy at the best of times, and London in the 1930s is not the best of times. Still, Mrs Cole does what she can at Wool's, relying on volunteers, donations, the Church, a certain bull-headed stubbornness, and just a little bit of luck. They at least have food on the table every night, and meat more Sundays than not. Two years ago, an anonymous benefactor funded a trip to the seaside for the children, and somehow she managed to arrange that to happen again and has hopes that a third time will be forthcoming. Things are not, perhaps, quite as bad as they could be.

Still, the orphanage is quite full and she's spread terribly thin trying to contain the children. Resolving interpersonal conflicts is an impossible task with how many permutations of relationships are possible, so she's given up trying unless there's blood spilled or bones broken. Not a frequent occurence, thankfully, so she is able to save her energy. If there were more adoptions, to keep pace with the number of children being taken in- But that's a vain hope.