‘He was always collecting things that looked worthless,’ she said.

‘Then he’d tell you their history until you thought they were treasures.’

I asked her about the letters Walter had concealed.

She folded her hands together.

‘I don’t know why he made the choice he did.

I know he was afraid of losing you.

Fear doesn’t turn a lie into love, but it sometimes hides behind it.’

We spoke for an hour without demanding that either of us forgive the past.