Chapter 12 Summary

James and his mother arrive in the cafy, with James being happy just to be inside. He stands inside near the heater with his mother, whose coat smells like a wet dog. Both mother and son rub their hands in front of the heater, doing it because it keeps them from hurting if they get warm too fast. There's a man at the cafy counter, and a lady behind it. Both watch James and Octavia, while she counts the money she's carrying around, bundled in a handkerchief. James tells Octavia that he's not hungry, but she tells him that they have to pay for something, since they've used their heat. James doesn't want her to spend the money on him. Octavia pays and gets a plate of cakes, a glass of milk, and a cup of coffee. James' mother drinks her coffee, while...