28

I spent most of the day cleaning up and doing the laundry, then I made lunch, showered, and went to bring Finn home from school. Max hadn’t called or texted yet to show that he’d received my message, and I wondered if Margaret delivered it at all.

“Where’s Aunt Cora, Mummy?” Finn asked as we waved goodbye to Mr. Burns, his classroom tutor. I’d been dreading the question all day. Cora was his best friend and he’d be bored without her.

“Sweetie, Aunt Cora’s traveled back to Manhattan for an emergency. She sends her greetings and promises to be back next week. Don’t worry, you’ll have Ma to look after you.”

“Yippee!” he threw his hands up in glee, bubbling with excitement. “Will she bring Wren along too? And Chester?”

I gaped at him, puzzled for a minute. Then I remembered Ma’s grandchildren. “Oh, yes! They’ll be coming along as well. Do you like having them over?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

After I’d helped him with his homework, we both had a nap. By five, I went down to make dinner while Finn was