I was grateful she asked.

“We can tell them we were separated as children and found each other many years later,” I said.

“We don’t need to tell seven-year-olds about every broken promise an adult made.”

Poppy agreed enthusiastically.

She insisted on making a presentation with three drawings: a blue bird, a diamond ring and a house with a roof that was no longer leaking.

The morning of the visit, Evelyn and I sat in tiny chairs facing a room of curious children.