That mattered.
An Encounter With the Other Side of the Family
The café was small and quiet.
Emma arrived early.
She chose a table near the window, ordered tea, and watched people passing along the pavement.
When Helena entered, Emma recognized her immediately.
The woman was older than she had been in the photograph.
Her hair was gray, and she moved cautiously, carrying a worn handbag against her side.
For a moment, she stood near the entrance, searching the room.
Then she saw Emma.
Their eyes met.
Helena approached slowly.
“Thank you for coming.”
Emma nodded.
“Please sit down.”
The meeting began awkwardly.
Neither knew how to speak naturally.
They ordered drinks, exchanged a few polite remarks, and then fell silent.
Finally, Helena opened her handbag.
“I brought something.”
She placed an old photo album on the table.
Emma glanced at it.
“What is it?”
“Family photographs. Some are from when Lucas was young. Others show his relatives. I thought you or Sophie might want to see them.”
