The hours ticked away as Malia and Charles both lay awake, unable to sleep, not talking. Malia was aware of Charles’s breathing, of his chest rising and falling. And Charles was aware of her too, the flutter of her exhales.

In the morning, Hu and Gish cooked a traditional breakfast of smoked fish. Malia passed Charles the fresh-squeezed fruit juice. Charles thanked her and drank. A cordial truce settled between them.

Refreshed by the fatty fish and berries, ...