She asks

"Sorry for prying but, what were you and Robert doing when I arrived?" She knew that she was pushing her luck, but she had to ask.

"Robert comes to me for physical therapy." She massaged her hands together feigning some expertise, "Not everyone trusts my lack of 'credentials', but you can't beat my prices, and Robert has seen some results that he is happy with."

"Ah, thank you. I'll keep that in mind if I'm ever in the need." Clarissa was suspicious of what kind of physical therapy they could be doing out here in the sticks, but she couldn't prove anything. Plus, why was she 'naked', without her appearance altering trinkets? Why would Robert want to see a woman like that? She had so many questions, and no answers.

She walked out of the Herbalist's shop with a guarded sense of hope. She really wanted to have a success story from the herbalist like everyone else seemed to, but she didn't really like the idea of this tempus root. _I don't want to make my chores take less time, I want to avoid them all together! _I need to win the lotto and hire a maid and chef, not wear an old root on my neck!

But in that moment she had an idea, she could test the necklace's effects by wearing it home. It was only a 30 minute drive, so she could test just how much this suspended time thing would matter to her. She un-knotted the handmade necklace and secured it around her neck. She took a moment to look around. Nothing felt different. She shrugged and got into her car, suddenly afraid to start it. Her mind went in all the worst directions about what could go wrong. Just make sure no one is around to see you. Why would she have to avoid other people? Would this necklace do something to her?