Lilian added, “Chloe left a bit later than usual this morning. What held her up?”

Chloe’s daily departure time was like clockwork, yet today she was nearly ten minutes late, which was why Lilian asked about it.

Jane laughed. “You actually noticed that? I don’t even pay attention to exactly when she leaves every day. I only know that by the time her father and I return from our walk, she’s already gone.

“By the time we reach home at night, she still hasn’t come back. She leaves early and retur