He was quiet after hearing about the meeting.

“I remember my father saying that everyone had to contribute,” he said.

“I never asked who got credit.”

“It’s worth asking now,” I answered.

Lucinda stayed for coffee and watched our team argue cheerfully over fabric samples.

Before leaving, she told me Ada would have liked the place.

I didn’t know whether that was true, but for once I accepted the compliment without wondering what I owed in return.

PART 22: A Winter of Difficult Questions