Olivia came in with a handful of hair products and a dreadful expression on her face. She shivered when she saw the extent of the damage to my hair, shoulders shaking as though she had stepped her new boots into a fresh pile of cow dung.
“Oh, Missy.” She let go of the products in her arms and they clattered to the table just as she threw her hands around my shoulders, squeezing me to her. For a girl as light as she was, she had a strong grip. I hugged her back, feeling her quiver as I did so.
“Oh, we were so worried. The king’s rage was powerful but it was not what scared me, Missy. I never did tell you how important you have become to me and then you were gone!” She turned into an emotional mess, refusing to let me out of her embrace. “I would never have forgiven myself, Missy, never
