Brooks rather thought they must not be standing in the same bookstore. Or she couldn't actually read. Or she had no idea how wide women's skirts were? She had always been obstinate by nature, so that was also an option. Maybe she wanted him to pass through her space somehow, but that certainly wasn't an option. Flourish & Blotts had never been particularly crowded, but it wasn't built for such either.

"Yes, chap, take your time." Books agreed, as the child was clearly not the problem here. "I'll meander over here to get something for my fiancée." He could pick up a book for Effie. Brooks thought he knew enough of what she liked to pick up something. He could always run in by her friend Miss McKelvey before he gave it to her as well.

Mostly he said it for shock value; if Mrs. Pettigrew was going to be petty, so could he. He turned his back to them and made his way over to the desired section, still in view, but no longer with his attention in that direction.