They hurried to his work shed, where he kept tools and glues, and worked together to re-join the pieces, using a vice to hold them until the glue sealed. As they stood side by side over this task, Mama looked in.
‘Time for the ceremony,’ she said. Lisette appeared beside her, linking her arm through Mama’s. Her eyes were pinched with anxiety, but she had on her best dress and her hair was tied in a long braid entwined with flowers. She looked younger than she had in a long time. Around her neck, as always, was the simple circular locket containing a lock of Liliana’s hair.
‘We’re right behind you,’ Papa said. ‘Mina, go wash while I clean up here.’
Mina hurried to clean her hands of glue. She had done her hair earlier so her main task was to rid her hands of the smell of the work shed. S
