Dovey began spending three nights a week at Enid's house.

On Wednesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the routine returned: he would arrive at six, have lunch with Maven, help with the homework, and leave at eight-thirty, when Maven was going to sleep.

At first, he was strange. Enid observed him attentively, monitoring each interaction, ready to intervene if he said or did something that could upset Maven. But, after a while, she began to relax

"Dad, can you help me with math?" Maven asked one Wed