"Well it is a spectacular hat!" Katie exclaimed, letting him tug her over to the railing. "And really, you couldn't pull off the eye patch without the hat."
She had grown quiet for a moment, watching the waves, but at his offer, she glanced up at him, the faintest of hopeful smiles tugging at her lips. "Could you? I think I'd like to know. I miss her..." She ran her hand lightly over the railing and added brightly (seeming to ignore the idea that it might not be good news), "Maybe she can come home, if you find her! Well, if the Ministry says it's okay, I mean."