“I can’t remember for sure, except that Mom didn’t like leaving the city much, so probably not.”
“Well, you’re going to love it here,” Mia said, linking her arm through Margot’s. “Wait until you try the fish and chips.”
“Can we get fish and chips first?” Grace asked, pointing at The Salty Gull, which had a sign out front reading “Fresh Catch Daily.”
“Absolutely,” I said. “But do not feed the seagulls. Last time I made that mistake, they followed me for two blocks.”
Mia shook her head. “They’re such nuisances. One time at the beach, a big fat one stole Annie’s sandwich.”
That sent the girls into gales of laughter as they recounted the story for me. Margot smiled, glancing up at me like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to laugh too. I squeezed her hand.
“Then Grace wrote a song about how a seagull ate her friend’s sandwich and made us all gather around to listen to her sing,” Annie said.
“In my defense, it was a very traumatic occasion,” Grace said, giggling.
We ordered battered cod and hand-cut fries served in paper boats with lemon wedges and malt vinegar. I grabbed a table with a view of the sea, perched on a craggy bluff where wildflowers grew between the rocks and the tide churned in a lazy rhythm. We all dug into the food as if we hadn’t eaten in a week.
“This is really good,” Margot said after her first bite, her eyes widening.
“Right?” Mia said. “Way better than anything in the city.”
“Everything’s better here,” Margot said softly, then looked at me. “With you, Papa.”
My throat tightened. “I’m glad you think so, mon cœur.”
While we ate, I asked the girls about their favorite subjects at school.
They happily answered between bites of the delicious food. Mia loved English class and art; Grace was all about drama; Annie liked all the subjects, but preferred P.E.
“What about you, Margot?” Annie asked. “What’s your favorite subject?”
Margot hesitated. “Art, I guess. And recess.”
“Recess counts,” Grace said seriously. “That’s when all the real social learning happens.”
“If I could be in P.E. all day, I’d be so happy,” Annie said.
“Are you excited to start at a new school?” Annie asked Margot.
“I guess so. I wish Mia could go with me.” Margot picked at her fries. “I’m afraid no one will like me and I’ll have to eat lunch all alone.”
“No way,” Grace said. “You’re going to be super popular.”
“How do you know?” Margot asked.
“Because you’re pretty and fun,” Annie said.
“And smart,” Mia said. “Don’t forget that part.”
Margot looked from one girl to the next, her brow wrinkled as if trying to decide if they were telling the truth. “Maybe I’ll make friends. Like you guys.”
“You will,” Grace said. “You’ll find your tribe, just like we have.”
“I want to be part of this tribe,” Margot said, looking down at her plate.
“Oh, you totally are,” Annie said. “You’re like our new little sister.”
Margot looked up, a slow smile forming. “I am?”
