Chapter 34

“They took Grams her cup of tea this morning and she didn’t wake up.” She tried to put the cup down but her hands were shaking so hard she kept missing the table.

“I’m very sorry, Camille,” Theo said quietly. Her sadness was so profound he could feel it like a physical presence.

He knew that later she would resent him for seeing her this way— vulnerable—because this was not the face that Camille liked to present to the world, but he was nevertheless glad he was here for her.

She should not be alone right now—no one should at such a time—but, while he wanted to help, he didn’t have the faintest idea how. Anything he could say seemed hopelessly inadequate.

“Let me.” He took the cup from her and set it on the table.

She reached out, her cold fingers closing over his hand as she said, ‘“I was thinking,” she began eagerly. “It can’t be right. Yesterday, they said she was fine;

the doctor said she was fine. Do you think it might be a mistake?”

The