When Evelyn opened the door, her expression was wary but calmer than the night before.
“You came early.”
“I wanted to tell you something before Clara arrived.”
She stepped aside.
Julian was in the kitchen preparing breakfast while Lily and Samuel sat at the table, each surrounded by sliced fruit and pieces of toast. They looked smaller than they had in the photograph. More real.
Samuel had dark hair and a serious expression as he concentrated on spreading jam. Lily’s brown curls escaped from two uneven ribbons, and she was whispering to a stuffed rabbit propped beside her plate.
They both looked up.
Evelyn rested a hand lightly against my arm.
“This is Adrian,” she said. “He’s an old friend of mine.”
The words were careful, and I was grateful for them.
Lily looked at me. “Are you a doctor like Daddy?”
“No.”
“Do you work?”
“I do.”
