Throwing in my $.02 on the manager/Madge thing...
Yes, I thought that the manager would be Madge, and was quite excited anticipating her arrival. And then when she did arrive, I still thought it was Madge, and wasn't surprised that she didn't take one look and instantly recognize. She's so distracted thinking about them, looking everywhere for them, that it would never occur to her to look under her own nose.
And I think having that sense of tension and anticipation is good. So I would hate to get rid of all that. As a compromise, you might want to introduce the manager's name earlier than you do, but not instantly. Maybe when she first talks to them, she could introduce herself by name. For example...
"Peaceful morning to you. My name is Charity," she called. "Let me put my things away, and I’ll be right with you."
Something like that. So all the readers' shoulders will slump a bit in disappointment as they heave a sigh, realizing that the answer's not that easy. Yet then there won't be any confusion with the Temporal Displacement.
Kathy
