I had never noticed them.

Perhaps he had put them there while looking for something to do one afternoon, perhaps he had always meant to show me.

I would not know unless another memory returned.

I ran a finger across the letters, then put the box on the shelf beside his books.

Ruth made coffee too strong for either of us and found a packet of lemon cookies that had lost most of their freshness.

We ate them anyway and discussed the kitchen clock, which was three minutes fast.