The following day, Esme stood beside the rock pool on Laertes Island to say her goodbyes. The tide was turning. These pools would soon disappear, absorbed into the wider ocean as if they’d never been there at all. Above her soared Ariane’s faithful companion: the sea eagle from Picton. The majestic bird arced over them, as if bidding farewell, before gliding back toward the city.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured, as it disappeared out of sight.
Daniel had given Esme a waterproof satchel, in which she had already stowed the compendium, as well as a roll of film, filled with photographs of her mother in the clinic.
Miranda handed her a wrapped bundle. ‘Some breyberry bread for you—and your dad.’
She wiped away a tear, before enfolding Esme in a long hug. ‘Don’t worry about your mum. You’ve been
