I let out a breath.
Me:No.
Ellie:Thank you for that.
The message was not forgiveness.
It was recognition of one thing I had done correctly beside one I had not.
Me:I’m sorry about the rest.
Three dots appeared again.
Ellie:My father says you handle direct questioning adequately.
A laugh escaped me.
Rachel smiled.
“Better?”
“Tom updated the file.”
“Promotion?”
“Still under review.”
Another message arrived.
Ellie:I’m still angry.
I looked at the words for a long time.
Me:Understood.
Too formal.
I erased it.
Me:I’m not asking you not to be.
The answer came a minute later.
Ellie:Good.
Then:
Ellie:Text before calling.
I looked at Rachel.
“She reminded me of the policy.”
“Good policy.”
“Yes.”
Richard’s voice became audible through Sophie’s phone, despite the distance.
