“None of that was your fault.
And none of it was a consolation prize.
It was a real life.”
“I know,” I said.
“But,” Tom said, “a real life can also have more in it.
That’s what I think.” He looked at Claire.
“That’s what I think.”
Claire leaned her head against his shoulder for just a moment.
Then she straightened up.
“I want you to meet them,” she said to me.
“Rosie and Daniel.
Not today — today has been enough.
But soon.” She paused.
“If you’re willing.”
“Yes,” I said.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
“There’s something I want to ask you first,” she said.
“Before we go any further.” She looked at me steadily.
“What was she like?
Carol.
What was she actually like?”
The question surprised me.
I thought about it honestly.
