Sophie recognized something in his careful silence.

She remembered the night she had eaten pancakes while her mother drank water.

She remembered pretending that she believed Hannah had already had dinner, because asking another question might have made her cry.

“Can I give Oliver my extra apple?” she asked.

Hannah turned off the tap and dried her hands.

“You can offer him something.

But it’s important not to embarrass him.

Sometimes people don’t want their problems announced to everybody.”