Isobel rapped lightly on Rose’s door, and before her knuckles even fell away, the door swung wide. Rose stood there, breathless and glowing, as though she’d been waiting at the threshold all morning.

“Come on in!” she sang out, grabbing Isobel’s arm and tugging her inside with that irrepressible energy that always filled the room like wildfire. In one motion, she thrust a box into Isobel’s hands. “Happy birthday.”

Isobel blinked, startled. “But you already gave me ...