"Where's the key?" Alessandra snapped from the driver's seat before she even opened the car door.
"I left it on the seat, Ms. Abbott," the driver said, fumbling. "Door's unlocked."
Alessandra swung the door open and reached for Holly like a practiced motion. "Careful with the dress. We can't have stains."
Holly scrambled out with both hands full of a pale doll and a small backpack. She didn't look at the dress or the doll; she looked for Joan.
"Grandma!" Holly launched herself into Joan's arms and pressed her cheek against the old woman's shoulder.
Joan replied with a laugh that smelled of lavender and frying oil. "There you are. Come on, let me see that doll properly."
Alessandra adjusted her sunglasses with a tilt of satisfaction. "She's got the new porcelain. StreamWave sent it. Do make sure she keeps it in the living room, Joan. No street games."
Dorian rested his hand on the car roof and sighed like a man who had already said everything he needed to say. "Holly, say bye. I'm late for a meeting."
"Bye, Daddy," Holly called, voice small and wide-eyed. She watched Dorian walk off without turning back.
Alessandra's smile hardened with a sigh of polite regret. "You two will be fine. Call me if you need anything."
Joan placed Holly on her hip and tucked a stray curl behind the girl's ear. "We will. Eat something before you go in
