Amara came forward with Justina against her shoulder, and Madam Vale cupped her granddaughter's face with one hand for a long moment, memorising something, before she straightened and reached into her bag.
The gifts had been prepared quietly, the way she did everything. Two small velvet boxes, opened to reveal a gold necklace and bracelet for each child, delicate, real, the kind of thing kept and passed on.
She placed them with Amara without ceremony and said only that they were for when the children were older, and Amara's eyes went bright, and she said thank you in a voice that meant considerably more than the words.
She kissed Amara on the cheek.
"Bye, sweetheart," she said warmly, and there was a whole world of affection packed into it acceptance, welcome, and something close to pride.
Then she picked up her suitcase.
