Stella wanted to know whether he liked the wooden bird. Grace wanted to know whether he preferred sweet fruit or roasted vegetables. Lucy asked him whether he had ever climbed a treehouse, and Zoey immediately warned him that some of the walkways were slippery.
Sol answered every question with remarkable seriousness.
When Stella asked whether he wanted another wooden toy, he shook his head.
"The bird is enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It can be lonely if it doesn't have a friend."
Stella smiled.
"Then perhaps I should make another one."
Sol looked at the wooden bird in his hands.
"Would you?"
"Of course."
He seemed pleased.
Jude watched the conversation with quiet satisfaction. The boy was still reserved, but he was beginning to relax around them.
After breakfast, Jude gathered everyone near the firepit.
