ELENA
Nicholas was gone when I woke up.
It's not the way Liam used to leave. Liam makes his absence felt.
But with Nicholas, he's just gone. The sofa folded back, the blanket on the arm and the kitchen is clean in a way I hadn't left it the night before.
A note on the counter with one line.
The front door lock needs replacing. I've arranged it for this afternoon. — N
I stood in my kitchen in my robe and read it twice.
Not good morning or thank you for letting me stay.
I put the note in the kitchen drawer then made tea.
Isla arrived at nine with pastries she said were from the place on Columbus. She had that look like she had decided a conversation was going to happen whether I was ready for it or not.
She set the pastries on the kitchen table and looked at the folded blanket o
