Charlotte
***
"Hello, Charlotte Grey speaking?" I said, answering the phone after saving my notes file.
"I, I've heard you have a human child staying with you."
It was a very guarded voice, and it instantly got my attention. I waited for a moment before answering.
"Yes, who is this?"
"I'd like to speak to her," he said, still equally wary.
"Just a moment."
I covered the mouthpiece carefully. This felt incredibly irresponsible, but…
"Honey, there's a man on the phone, he won't say who he is but he wants to speak to you. Do you want to speak to him?"
She watched me carefully, wanting to hope, but wary as ever.
"Ask her… ask her if there's an alley cat in the house," the voice said, guessing the reason for the delay. I passed on the message, and her eyes lit up and she reached for the phone. I handed it to her with lingering misgivings, but if it was her father…
"Hello?" she said cautiously, and then a grin of pure joy lit her face. It must be her father. Who else would call so strangely, and make her so happy?
"Yes," she said, a single word in a long joyful silence, and I was amazed that even now she was careful of her words.
"I'm fine."
"I've missed you too."
"No, she's ok." She covered the mouthpiece.
"He wants to know the address here, can I tell him?"
"Of course, do you-" but she was already rabbitting it off by heart.
"Ok."
She hung up.
"Aah, I'm guessing I'm not allowed to ask about that?" I asked as she stood twisting silently in happiness, gripping the disconnected phone in both hands. She turned and hugged me hard. It was the first time she'd ever hugged me; usually I was the one who had to hug her. I let my arms fall around her, and let her keep her treasured silence.