She could see the acceptance start to settle in on Theo’s shoulders. If she knew anything about him and his persistence, Vera assumed he would still keep trying to locate his father. But, she thought, as long as on the outside (and more importantly to the children) he let on that he thought his father was dead, she wouldn’t do anything to impede whatever investigations he might launch. In fact, she might encourage it in her own way, which was to say do nothing and act as if nothing was amiss, even though every fiber of her being felt like giving up.

Theo’s words struck her, and she blinked at him, slightly bewildered. Because she hadn’t heard anything like an apology come from Theo in quite some time - if ever. But now wasn’t the time to comment further on it. Instead, she nodded and gave a sigh. “I’m sorry too.” Because it was done to Theo just as much as it had been done to Vera.