Two young boys played with an electronic ball game in the middle of the floor, while three young teenage girls chatted in the corner. An old woman sat in the middle of a large comfy couch with a somewhat younger man on one side and another manabout Holly’s age on the other.
A woman a bit older than Holly entered the melee with a tray of cookies. “Granny, would you like some sweets to go with your tea?”
Malcolm floated between the young boys. “Do you see anyone you recognize?”
“Here?” Holly looked over each face then her gaze returned to the woman with the tray. “She looks familiar for some reason, but I don’t know anyone this farnorth.”
Joy cocked her head. “But you know people who live just west of here, right?”
Holly looked at her blankly for a moment before she remembered. “Cam’s aunt and uncle. I can’t believe I forgot about them. They raised him.”
Malcolm drifted closer. “And the last time you visited with them?”
“You really have to spoil everything, don’t you?” Her lower lip came out as she stared at him. Finally,she answered. “I visited them for Guy Fawkes night.”
“What year?” Malcolm wasn’t letting anything slide and in this instance, Joy agreed.
“Fine, it was a few years ago, with Cam. But I saw them at the funeral and that was only three years ago.”
“Only?” Malcolm let his question hang in the air.
A sulking Holly wouldn’t help anything, so Joy redirected her attention. “Who does the woman withthe tray remind you of?”
Holly floated closer and stared. “Holy crap, she looks like Cam. Is this his half-sister?”
Holly’s excitement was catching. “Yes!”
“All these people are part of her family and kind of related to Cam?”
Joy nodded.
Holly’s awe turned into a giant smile. “Ihaveto come visit.”
“Not so fast.” Malcolm’s interjection caused Holly to roll her eyes.
Joy laughed. She muchpreferred guiding Holly with positive experiences rather than negative ones.
Malcolm had to be thick-skinned because he ignored both Holly’s expression and her own laugh. “Why do you think Cameron’s sister came to find you and then never knocked on your door?”
“You know about that?”
He nodded.
“I thought it might be bad news.” Holly looked at Malcolm to see if she was right.
He shook hishead. “No.”
Holly grinned. “That’s the happiest news you’ve given me since you showed up.”
Joy bit her cheek to keep from laughing again.
Malcolm sighed before pointing to the man next to the grandmother. “That’s the reason Lorna didn’t knock on your door.”
“Lorna.” Holly said the name as if she were trying on a new pair of shoes. “Lorna. That’s pretty. I like it.” She pointed. “Who is thatand why did he stop her from visiting me?” Holly floated closer to have a good look at the man.
“He’s Lorna’s father.” Malcolm paused then quirked his lip. “Not to give you more bad news, but he doesn’t want Lorna to have anything to do with her biological mother’s side of the family.”
Holly spun at that. “Why not?”
