Six Years Ago
Jenny sits in the kitchen of her tiny new home, staring into the fire. Although the May days are warm and full of promise, the mornings are still cold, and Chad lit the fire for her, early, before going…. somewhere….
She sits close to the hearth, wrapped in a blanket, hugging herself.
There is a rap at the door, then a hesitation.
Jenny’s eyes dart to the door. She doesn’t want to answer, doesn’t want to see anyone. The door rat-tats again.
She remains silent, turning away, back to the fire, hoping whoever it is will go away if she doesn’t speak, but after a long moment, the door creaks open. Mrs Collier eases in with a tray, looking carefully through to be sure she not…. disturbing the newlyweds.
But all she sees is her young fosterling, now a young woman, her back tur
