The tears had barely dried when another knock sounded.
I opened my eyes but stayed where I was, my back still resting against the door.
"Who is it?"
"Clara."
I wiped beneath one eye with the heel of my hand, opened the door, and stepped aside before she could inspect me too closely.
She entered, then stopped.
"You look terrible."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"What do you want?"
She lifted the folder between us.
"The revised Foundation programme."
"I thought we finished that."
"We finished arguing. The programme is never finished."
I took the folder.
Clara looked towards the corridor, then lowered her voice.
"Everyone is downstairs."
"So?"
"Mother is with the caterers. Father is trying to stop Lord Wetherby from withdrawing. Shadric left for a board call."
I watched her
