She could feel him watching her, could hear the questions he was so fiercely not asking. She wanted to go to him, put his mind at rest. But she didn't.

"Camille and Catherine are worried about you" She didn't lift hey eyes from the staring contest she was having with her glass of juice."What you are feeling. It's alright."

She felt him pull the chill out beside her, and waited for him to loan self into it before finally look at him. "You are sad, you are angry. This is all perfectly normal" He reached across the table, taking her hand in his "You must not close us out. Your mother, Grandmere and I love you very, very much. We…"

" I know" Kitty cut in " I know ya do. It's just... I don't know."

"You miss your father! Of course, you do my heart"

" I just wish I could talk to him… Granda, I turn eight next week, I just…. I just wish I could, you know, tell him about my day. Silly stuff, like when Delroy fell in the fishpond. And Junior laughed so hard he was almost sick." A humourless laugh escaped her "Don't mind me I'm just being stupid!"

" No, not at all. I have an idea. Just wait here, I'll be a moment" And up, he left.

She watch the door, unable to ignore the curiosity. She felt bubbling up within her. Fortunately, Selwyn returned quickly. A pen and paper held firmly in his hand.

"Here ya go" He handed her the supplies.

" What am I meant to do with these?"

"Write him a letter" Confused eyes met his "Your father" he clarified "Write him a letter, one for only his eyes. Then when you're done, we'll give it to the sea.

Small smile started to form on little Kitty's face.

"Yes, yes I like that!" Excitement built within her. She knew that he would never actually read, but that doesn't matter. It was an outlet, a way she could make herself feel heard.

Dear Daddy,

So, it's my birthday soon. Grandmere is organising my party. Everyone in class is coming. And Rosie with Auntie Juliet, Uncle Fidel and Uncle D of course. Uncle D says he can't wait, but maman has made him promised to behave. I'm sure he'll try but secretly I hope he does something crazy! Humphrey is coming too. He's really nice, he's kind of funny, if a little different, no, unique. The party is going to be huge, take up the whole beach. Grandmeres even closing the bar. Everyone is super excited. I wonder if 8 feels any different to being 7.

Grandmother and Grandfather Poole came. It wasn't good. They wanted to take me, back to England I mean. There was lots of yelling. Grandmere even lost her temper, that take quite a lot. She even shouted daddy, Grandmere never shouts.

I'm not really sure what happened after that, Maman sent me off to get cleaned up. When I came back, everyone seemed a bit calmer. Why do grown-ups do that? Why I sent us kids away? I don't get it, how can we learn to solve these things if we never get to see it happen? Whatever happened it all seems alright now. Since they returned to England, they've actually called me. Twice. Its kind of weird, Ive never really talked to them before. Well, not since I was really little. But maman says it's great easier with time. I'm really trying, I hope you'd be proud of me.

Harry is doing okay. Humphrey thinks he's funny. He doesn't mind me going to visit either. I make sure to give him plenty of mango just like you taught me. I think he likes it, but I think he misses you. I miss you. I'm not crazy, I know you're not here, that you won't read this. But it feels good to say all this anyway.

I tried to read Peter Pan daddy. Tried to pick up where you left off. I couldn't do it. It feels wrong to find out what happens next without you. I still have your copy, the bookmark still in its place. Maybe when I'm a bit bigger, I might carry on with the story then.

I miss you daddy. And I love you.

Always, and forever. Your daughter,

Kitty

I smile on her face and a tear on the cheek. She ever say, neatly folded the letter and a half.

"Here" Selwyn reached out to take the paper from her. Kitty gripped it harder, reluctant to let go.

" I'm just going to put an envelope" he explained tugging slightly harder at the prized letter. Kitty eased her grip a little and allowed it to be slipped from her hand.

He held it tight, still undecided. He knew what he wanted to do, but also knew that he shouldn't. Brain moving fast as he walked from the room, in what he hoped, was casual fashion. His Study was getting closer, he had to decide. The old door creaked slightly as he entered, he ignored it is he went straight to his desk. Did he dare? Could he do it? Should he do it?

YES

Fast hands placed the letter safety in the drawer to be dealt with later. Taking fresh paper he folded it and put it into the new envelope. With a lick and a firm push down the job was done.

"All you need to do now is write on the envelope and we can give it to the sea"

Kitty thought hard on what to write. Well, there was really only one way to address it.

In a clear bold hand she simply wrote

Daddy

"Can we go now Granda? Can we go give it to the sea?"

"Of course my heart, go get your shoes"

And not five minutes later, the little and large duo walked hand-in-hand to the oceans edge. She clutching an empty letter, and he thinking of the letter he had yet to send waiting for him in his desk drawer.

Kitty's birthday came and went. And in the days that followed she felt lighter, more at ease. In that one simple symbolic act of writing and 'sending' she felt freed from her grief. She still missed her father, and it still hurt. But the overwhelming sadness that once weighed her down eased considerably. She decided to live once again.

Camille stood beside the car. They'd been a little longer making the arrest than she had expected. But now was the time. She was thankful for Humphrey in that moment. He had created an unintentional barrier between her and her father. Until he didn't, and there she stood alone with a man she hardly know.

"You know" Camille faulted slightly, trying to find her words " I'm glad I finally got to meet you"

"You are?" Marlon couldn't contain the smile as it grew across his face.

"All my life, you've been like a spectre. A shadow hanging over me."

" And now I'm not?" He asked

"Now I know exactly who you are" She huffed out a slight laugh.

" Camille, I should have done more"

"You did just enough" she interrupted " You left me to be raised by my mother. And that's the best gift you could've given me. I….." she hesitated again, I'm nervous uncertainty washed over her. " I have someone who wants to meet you" She turned from him, wrapping her knuckles hard on the car window.

He watched a confused fascination as a small child climbed from the car.

"Kitty, this is Marlon. My father"

The girl gave him a small wave. "Hi" she squeaked, feeling the full awkwardness of the situation.

" Marlon" Camille turned back to him now " this is Kitty. My daughter" surprise was evident on his face. Taking a moment, he quickly took in the girls blonde hair, green eyes and clearly white skin. He opened his mouth, the question it, but thought again.

"A grandchild?" he whispered out instead. Clearing his throat he went back to to focus on Camille. " I want to give you something." He handed her a folded paper.

"What is it?"

"It's my address, in Saint Lucia. Maybe one day….?"

"No" she stopped him "You write to me. Then we'll see" Marlon nodded, he understood, and he watched in silence is the two got back into the car.

"Bye Grandpa" Kitty called out.

He didn't understand how this child was his daughters. And quite honestly in that moment he didn't care. He took in the awe of the moment.

He was a grandpa.