Chapter 15
The conservatory reopened after renovation.
I almost had the dessert area removed.
Then stopped myself.
That would give Elspeth ownership of architecture.
Instead we changed procedures quietly.
Professional catering oversight.
Clear allergy safeguards.
No family elder overriding staff.
No host giving casual reassurance about something they had not verified.
Nothing dramatic.
Just competent adults doing their jobs.
At the first event, Caspian attended for twenty minutes.
His choice.
He stood beside me.
Looked toward the bench.
Remembered.
“Here.”
“Yes.”
“Aunt Elspeth.”
“Yes.”
He touched my hand.
Then asked:
“Can we go see fountain?”
We did.
Healing often disappoints storytellers.
No speech.
May you like
No triumphant confrontation.
Just a child choosing something else to look at.
