Five
Dad came to my room as the porters carried out the last of my luggage. The guy at the back of the bunch was grimacing at the weight of the suitcase he was hauling. I’d mostly packed books. There weren’t that many pieces of clothing I absolutely had to bring with me, but stories… I had the feeling I was going to need their comfort more than ever while I waited out this banishment.
My father didn’t say anything, just caught my eye and tipped his head toward the doorway. I knew what he meant at once, with a leap of my heart. My boys were here.
I wasn’t sure if Dad had even told Celestine he was letting me have this one final moment with them. She’d frowned all through her supposed apology last night. I doubted she’d have approved.
We descended the stairs in careful silence. My finger
