Who was Trader Joe to Lily?

[Kathy]

I cannot figure out why someone named James would be called "Joe". With all the character changes, please remind me, who was he to Lily/Birdie/Albertine? And who was Lilly Millington to Birdie/Albertine?

[Lindsey]

I believe Lily/Birdie says that Joe is named after his father (James), but doesn't like to share his name and so prefers to be called Joe.

Joe is Pale Joe, the wealthy, but sickly boy Lily/Birdie meets when she is fleeing from the policeman.

Lily Millington was another, slightly older orphan girl who befriended Birdie. She is murdered a few weeks later, and Birdie then uses her name.

[Vic]

I agree with Lindsay, that's how it was explained.

And I think that Pale Joe, who turned out to be James Stratton (I loved that bit!) started helping people less fortunate then him because of Birdie and what he learned about the life in London through her. I thought that those storylines came together very nicely.
And how it connected to Elodies work.

[Emily]

How did the satchel end up in James Stratton's possession (where ultimately Elodie found it)?

[Cindy]

Emily wrote: "How did the satchel end up in James Stratton's possession (where ultimately Elodie found it)?"

James Stratton was Pale Joe & Birdie sent him the satchel. I think there was a scene where went to the village to send a post

[Liz]

Cindy wrote: "Emily wrote: "How did the satchel end up in James Stratton's possession (where ultimately Elodie found it)?"

James Stratton was Pale Joe & Birdie sent him the satchel. I think there was a scene wh..."

Edward Radcliffe gave James Stratton the satchell. When Lily went to the village to mail a letter, that was when she sent her letter and photograph to James, telling him that she was going to America.