Todd put fresh, hot toast on the table. “Nicely said, Izzy.”

“I’m sorry, too.” Flora was generous and genuine. Instinctively she reached out to touch Izzy’s hand, and then snatched her hand back, presumably afraid of another rejection.

“So today Aiden and I are going to take kayaks out onto the lake. And also maybe paddleboards.” Izzy took a spoonful of granola. “You can come if you like, Flora. We have life jackets, and I can teach you.”

Clare felt a rush of love for her goddaughter. It was a perfect gesture. She needn’t have worried. The summer was going to be great.

But instead of looking relieved and accepting with the appropriate degree of enthusiasm, Flora sat in silence.

Clare willed her to speak. Come on, she thought. Say yes.

“That’s a kind offer, but I can’t.”

Izzy clutched her spoon. Color shot into her cheeks. “You’re still mad with me.”

“It’s not that.”

“What then?”

The food on Flora’s plate was untouched. “I don’t like water. I’m not good with water.”

“Oh that’s right. You said you couldn’t swim.” Izzy shrugged. “I can teach you if you like.” It was awkward and uncomfortable to watch, but at least she was trying. “It’s not deep where we kayak. You can pretty much see the bottom as long as you stay along the shore.”

“I can’t.”

Izzy put her spoon down with a clatter. “Because you can’t think of anything worse than spending a day with me.” Her voice soared upward along with her stress levels. “Right. I get it. It’s all my fault for saying those things.”

“No. If anything I’m grateful to you for making me take a good look at myself.” Flora’s breakfast was untouched. “You asked me last night how far I was prepared to go to fit in and it was a fair question. The answer is I’m not prepared to go this far. I won’t do this. I can’t. I hate water. I’m scared of water.”

“Because you can’t swim?”

“Because it’s how my mother died.” The words surged from Flora’s mouth. “She drowned. And I was with her. I haven’t been in the water since.”

Shit, Clare thought, deciding that the occasion allowed for a little silent cursing.

Maybe the summer wasn’t going to be perfect after all.

14

Izzy

“How was I to know? Am I some sort of mind reader now?” Izzy used anger to cover up the fact that she felt dreadful, but Aiden knew anyway.

“You’re not a mind reader. Stop beating yourself up. It’s fine.”