Emma told me about the holiday play, where she had played a snowflake, and the drawing she had made for me.

She sounded relieved when I asked if I could see it.

Oliver shouted from somewhere nearby, demanding to know whether Grandma was on the line.

A moment later his excited voice filled my ear.

He had learned to identify Orion and wanted to show me.

I told him I had a telescope for him, but I didn’t explain why it was still sitting in my living room.

We talked about stars until someone called the children to lunch.