That evening Desmond came to collect her for dinner.

Pearl took his hand, then let go to make one last sign to me.

DON’T GO.

“I’m coming back tomorrow,” I promised, speaking as well as signing.

She studied my face before nodding.

It was a small permission, but I understood how much it cost her.

PART 5: What Rosalind Left Behind

Rosalind’s portrait hung in the music room, above a grand piano that nobody played.