“It smells like quiet.”

Richard put the plate on the table in front of her, with a little tub of butter and a knife.

“How’s your neck this morning?” Richard asked.

“It stings a little when I turn my head,” Emily said.

“But Dr.

Sarah said that’s normal for a few days.”

She picked up a slice of hot toast and spread butter across the crisp crust.

“I kept waking up in the night thinking I heard tires on the drive,” she said quietly.