The Envelope

Delilah recognised the relief on Oona’s face before she saw the letter, and wished she could let it tell her what the letter meant.

“It’s an offer,” Oona said. “Not the account we asked for. I’ve checked that three times.”

They were at Leonie’s office on Monday afternoon. The five people who had commissioned the chronology were reviewing their own sections in separate appointments; Oona had asked for hers to be last so there would be time to discuss what had arrived that morning. She had given permission for Delilah to see the dates and wording relevant to her section. The rest remained in its envelope.

Leonie pulled a chair toward the table. “Show me what you want to start with.”

Oona placed the first page in front of her. Sable offered to return the later fee, subject to an agreement attached. The offer did not account for the earlier…