Olivia, waiting for her, stayed where she was, sitting on the bed, feeling herself filled with gratitude for Penelope’s calm and practical acceptance of the situation. She thought about having another sort of mother, avid with curiosity and romantic images, linking Olivia with Cosmo, imagining her daughter standing at some altar in a white dress designed to look well from the back. The very idea made her laugh and shudder all at the same time.
