cathy

I... I was concerned for her, only to be told that I was being upsetting...

I was a little hurt.

Oh... Ian...

I'm so sorry, Ian! You know I always say the wrong things... I didn't really mean it...

I know. I stopped being angry the next day.

Then why didn't you come to the association?

...I was out all day these few days, trying to come up with the money and see if I could negotiate with the factory owner...

Then I learned from Baldi this morning that you and Catherine had taken care of it!

He didn't dare play games when he saw Catherine, did he?

Depends on how you define 'playing games'.

By the way, I think Clara has something to say to you.

Oh...

Clara...?

Clara subconsciously clutches the edge of her jacket.

In that moment, it is as though the clock has been turned back forty years.

That day, Clara had clutched the edge of her white skirt in the same way, stuttering as she said the three magical words.

There are wrinkles all over her face now, but the expression upon it is no different from the young girl in the white dress forty years ago.

Clara opens her mouth, but no words come out.

It feels as though the air has become dense... then she hears Clara's voice.

...Ian.

Catherine said to me... no, Catherine didn't put me to this. I wanted to say it myself...

Ian... what do you say that we... got together?

We... what?

See, you've helped me so much, and I think... I think you're really nice. What do you think about me... about you and me?

Clara... good heavens...

How... how could I have made you say it... I've always... I know that you... you would have minded...

I... heavens, Clara, I never thought... never thought you would...

O-Of course! I think you're really fine, really!

They say no more, their hands holding each other's tightly.

Catherine turns her head in the direction of the racket that the children are making.

The sky is overcast, but it seems to have gotten brighter than when it was an hour ago.

But of course, it is morning.

And the sun is rising.