I wandered over to the kitchen sink and washed the dog smell off my hands.

‘What can I do to help?’ I asked. She gave a warm smile and handed me a fistful of silverware which I laid out alongside the napkins at each place setting, while Cris ran upstairs for a quick shower. Rosie kept up a steady stream of chatter, telling me about the charity dinner they’d just had for Pause for Paws and how much money they’d raised.

‘Cris’s mobile spay/neuter van needs repairs and we’re hoping to buy a few more since we were able to sign several other vets up for the weekend pet drives. The money will come in real handy. But to tell you the truth,’ she lowered her voice to a whisper, ‘I wasn’t upset when he said the van had to go in for its repairs right away. It’s not often I get to have him home on the weekends and it timed so nicely with your visit.’

I was only half-listening, my mind still going over the garage in all its organized glory. Cris padded down the stairs, his hair still wet from the shower, just as Rosie placed the casserole dish and salad bowl on the table. As usual, Rosie served up Cris before serving herself. I filled my own plate and then reached across the table to clasp my aunt’s hand, now accustomed to saying grace before each meal when at their house.

‘Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord, Amen.’

‘Amen,’ I said in harmony with them as Rosie ended the prayer and we all dug into the food. Cris and Rosie kept up the conversation and I absentmindedly gave yeses and noes when the conversation seemed to point to me. I was having trouble staying in the moment. While I was happy to be enjoying this family meal, I felt a growing unease rise within me.

‘Liz?’

I snapped back to the present. ‘Yes?’

‘Did you enjoy the casserole? I can give you the recipe if you’d like, it’s quite easy to make.’

‘Yes, it was delicious. Thanks, I’d like that. I’m sure Andie would love if I made it. Here, let me help clear the dishes,’ I said, rising to grab some of the plates.

‘Oh, you don’t have to do that,’ Rosie said.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out quickly. The photographer I’d hired to shoot the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park that day was calling me. Rob never called unless there was a problem. ‘Sorry, this is a work call. Is there somewhere private I can take it?’

‘Sure. You can just go into Cris’s office, it’s right over …’ she trailed off when Cris gave her a sharp look.