Read Chapter 22: — MAGGIE CALLS GRAHAM

Maggie asked for Graham’s number.

Daniel gave it to her and immediately regretted becoming involved.

For three days nobody told him what had happened.

Then Maya arrived at breakfast grinning.

“They talked for two hours.”

Daniel nearly dropped his spoon.

“How do you know?”

“Dad walked around the camp afterward like someone had removed half his internal organs.”

“That could mean anything.”

“He asked me whether women still like flowers.”

Daniel covered his face.

“No.”

“Oh yes.”

Maggie, when confronted, was unhelpful.

“We had a conversation.”

“About?”

“Things.”

“What things?”

“Adult things.”

“I am thirty-three.”

“Then you’re old enough to mind your business.”

Daniel finally understood how Toby felt when excluded from gossip.

Over the following months Maggie and Graham began speaking regularly. Sometimes she called while Graham was in the canteen and he walked outside to answer. Sometimes Daniel saw the older man smiling at his phone and decided immediately that he did not want details.

Maya wanted all the details.

“This is romantic.”

“This is traumatic.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I spent my childhood believing he was dead.”

“Yes, and now your parents are flirting in their sixties. Life has range.”

Daniel stared at her.

“Please never say that sentence again.”