XL

The angels spent their fifteen days back at their cottage near Laurier Lake, where the air was crisp and the sky was clear.

Charles sat with Valerie on their worn sofa, both of them in comfortable silence. They hadn't properly spoken since the Hall, and there was a lot that needed to be said.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

They both frowned. "You can't be sorry when I'm trying to be sorry," Charles began.

"But your 'sorry' doesn't count because you have nothing to be sorry for, so I can absolutely be sorry," Valerie interjected.

"Of course I have to be sorry, that's why I'm apologizing!"

"But you're not the one who needs to be apologizing!"

They both paused.