“What’s wrong with your sister?” Mark asked after dinner when I walked into the kitchen and saw them kissing. “Selective mutism,” Caoimhe replied, filling a glass of water from the tap. “Don’t take it personal. She’s like this with everyone except family.” She took a sip before adding, “That’s why she goes to school in the city and does all that therapy I was telling you about.” She shrugged. “She can talk perfectly fine when it suits her.”
