Chapter 11
The first ferry of Sunday morning slipped slowly along Trader’s Canal. Esme leaned over the front rail, watching the ribboned waterways pass by on either side, tributaries on their way to breathe new life into the city’s ancient bones.
Autumn air bit at her nose and cheeks. The ever-present scents of salt and silt from the canal were briefly subsumed by the aroma of baked goods from a nearby square. A vision of a chocolate cake rose in her mind’s eye.
Lillian had promised to bake her one this morning.
Happy birthday, the city seemed to whisper to her.
The only thing missing from today was birthday greetings from her parents. Her father could be here, if he wished, but he wouldn’t just have to dive into a rock pool to get here. He would have to swim across a whole ocean of d
