“Yes. I thought so.” She hands me back the book. “I think I’ll keep this, it might come in handy.” She drops the box into a basket next to the chair. “I wrote a little something in the front for you. You don’t have to read it now.”

But I’ve already opened it.

A book about a brave, resourceful kid for the bravest, most resourceful kid I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with. Don’t forget me, kiddo. I’ll never forget you. Lettie.

“I’ve put my phone number there too, in case you lose it.” Her voice is gruff.

The words blur in front of me.

“Thanks, Lettie.” I blink, but not in time to stop a tear from splatting on her neat writing. I wipe at it, my finger smudging the first brave. I rub at my eyes, mad at them for ruining something so special.

Lettie gently pulls my wrists away from my face. “Come on.” She puts her arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go have a last cup of tea, hey? You’ll be off soon. And I bought a new packet of those biscuits.”

I’M FINISHING THE last one when the little purple car pulls up in between our house and Lucy’s. Nenee gets out, and I watch as she steps first toward our place, then changes her mind and turns toward Lucy’s.

“That your grandmother?”

“Nenee. Yes.” I’m not sure if I should call out to her. It feels disloyal to Lettie somehow.

“Call her over, then.” Lettie starts waving her arms.

“Nenee.” I keep my voice quiet.

Lettie shoots me a look. “She won’t hear that.”

I try again. “Nenee!”

Nenee turns to see Lettie waving at her frantically. She gives a half smile and looks confused.

I wave. “Nenee.”

She smiles properly when she sees me.

“Rae, there you are.” She walks over. “I thought you’d be at Lucy’s house.”

Lettie stands up. “Lettie.” She holds out her hand. “I live next door to your granddaughter.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who—”

Lettie winces. “Yes. I didn’t realize the whole situation, if I had of course I would have . . .” Her words come out more quickly than usual, until they dry up.

“Yes. Well.” Nenee looks back at her car.

Lettie stands up, her fingers worrying at each other. “She’s such a smart kid, so grown-up for her age, I just didn’t realize. She’s so capable. I had no idea what was—”

“Yes.” Nenee steps back. “Well, I expect she and I will get to know one another, so you don’t need to explain her to me.”

“No, I . . .” Lettie reaches out a hand toward Nenee, before shoving it in her pocket.