“Want to walk on the sand?” she asked Chloe, who was staring mesmerized over her shoulder. Chloe pointed and cried out “Wucks!” which meant ducks, which was her go-to word for birds of any kind. There were seagulls on the beach today, congregating around a dropped sandwich. Anna pulled Chloe’s hat down over her ears, manoeuvred her chubby hands into her mittens. “Happy birthday,” she said. “I am so glad you’re here.” Chloe looked at her and for an instant Anna was certain she understood.
