The final sentence.

It's so good, she thought as she gazed out the window, at the lush grounds of Hollyoak House, at the sunken garden now regaining its former splendor under the family's watchful eye, at the carefully trimmed thickets of yarrow and foxglove, hydrangea and catmint, at the rabbits nibbling in the underbrush, at the sundial with its brass gnomon, at the cherub fountain now bubbling merrily, at the flowers in bloom and the trees in blossom, at the soothing balm of the cool fog, which never lifted completely, morning, noon, or night, to have a second chance.

The stain in the back of my mind smiles.

Hidden in the smoke, Artemis, came down from Olympus and carried the girl, up, up, to blue sky.

That, indeed, was happy ending; that was the whole of what she had wanted from life – just to take care of them all.

She took Ruth's face in her hand and there, out in public, in a room full of strangers, Sylvie kissed her.

I squeeze back, pretend I no longer see the camera, and wait for the world to hear my name.

I love you, Dad!

And a moment later, there was Periwinkle in his arms, where she knew she would always find herself.

On the seat between, they held hands, anchored tight.

I laughed and cried at the same fucking time.

At night I pull my side braid apart, run my fingers through its silky ripples as I fall asleep, my scalp un-achy, my mind clear.

'It's the magic we made.'

'Friends,' he said.

The night wears on and they're still looking.

See you at our spot.

Then, behind the boy, the locked door opens.

And in one swoop, in perfect unison, we take our bow.