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Chapter 14- Small Triumphs

"So he acted all big and tough, Miss Gracie, but I could tell you know, with my heart, that he was scared. I went up to him and said "We're all family here at Wammy's. I can't be with my mummy and daddy but I am happy here."

Ella was bouncing on her knees on the faded eighteenth century sofa that was tucked in the corner of my bedroom. Her sadness had vanished rather quickly. Children's resiliency after upsetting experiences always astonished me. Ella's gift of sensing emotion didn't seem unduly affected either.

"And then he said those terrible things, and upset you, yes?" I asked her as I sat on my bed with my laptop checking messages on the highly encoded work email.

She shook her head empathically. "No, Miss Gracie. He said "Clear off, I don't care." But he did care! So I said "Why are you lying?" and he went and said those mean things." She shifted her legs and started kicking them in front of her, watching the sunlight hit the tops her patent leather mary-janes. "Then he said "Why do you think your parents are still alive? They burned in a fire and you think they simply dropped you off like boarding school?" Her little face grew somber then. She stopped swinging her feet. "I was sad because he was telling the truth. He can see like me, I think. I started to cry and Beto heard me and ran to find a grown up. He told L but Jude ran off before he came. But, Miss Gracie, cross my heart, I don't think he's a bad boy. I didn't mean it when I said he was. I think he's sorry."

"He better be." I answered grimly as I scanned the newest report from Scotland Yard. "Or else he'll have plenty of people to answer to."

"Miss Gracie?" Ella appeared deep in thought with her eyebrows scrunched together.

"Yes, poppet?"

"I know my mummy and daddy can't come back, but I like to pretend they will."

I smiled, understanding and once again marveling at this wondrous child who could bring such love to everyone she encountered, even if she still had much sorrow in her heart. "There's no harm in pretending when you're small, as long as you know it's just pretending."

She changed her position again, resting her head against one of the wine red pillows. "L says it's always okay to pretend."

"Does he?" I answered lightly as I closed the file and ran a hand through my hair.

I could tell her eyelids were drooping as she replied. "Yep, he says that's the only way to feel happy sometimes."

I was struck with sadness by that remark, but carried on. "This is true. But remember you can always come to someone when you're sad. "

Ella yawned. "I know, but he can't."

"No, he chooses not to. There's a difference, love." I whispered, my heart hardening again. "A big difference."

I'm not certain Ella heard me as I read the next lengthy report since I was halfway through when I heard whiffling snoring coming from my couch. She had curled herself up on the cushions and had fallen fast asleep.

I smiled and got up to pick up a light blanket from the foot of my bed to drape over her. Poor heart, what a trying day for a six year old. I dropped a kiss on the top of her head and turned to go back to the file. I froze when I noticed L in the doorway staring broodingly at me as he'd grown accustomed to do. I still hadn't gotten used to it.

"Grace," he spoke, glancing over at Ella. "I've talked with him."

"Good." I answered slowly, wondering why he still stood in the hall with the door wide open. "Come in and tell me what he said. Ella suspects him contrite."

If it was possible to bring color to those pallor cheeks, my invitation did just then. "Er, this is your bedroom." He stated, nervous.

"Excellent deduction, with the bed and all. And?"