It was growing dark by the beach, yet the crowd was increasing. Roxanne's anxiety flared, recalling the previous night's incident. Even though a day had passed, the large crowd still worried her. She quickly gathered the children and left the beach.
Coincidentally, it was dinner time. Lucian took them to a nearby restaurant. The children's pockets overflowed with seashells. They emptied their pockets onto the table, launching into a debate over the most attractive shell. Roxanne's eyes softened with amusement as she watched them enthusiastically present their finds.
A waiter arrived with their food, prompting the children to reluctantly gather their shells. Both children and adults, starved after a long afternoon at the beach, ate in silence.
After dinner, Roxanne and Lucian took the children to a craft workshop, well-equipped with tools and materials to foster creativity. Roxanne and the children sat in a row, beginning their projects. Lucian sat nearby, occasionally assisting with polishing or sanding, but largely letting them work independently.
Estella stared intently at a shell, frowning as if awaiting inspiration. She wanted to gift it to Roxanne but lacked an idea. After considerable contemplation, she tugged on Lucian's sleeve, pulling him to her station.
Lucian looked at her questioningly. "Daddy," Estella pleaded, "I want to give this to Ms. Jarvis as a present, but I don't know what to make."
Lucian's brow arched. He hadn't expected this, and handicrafts weren't his forte. He furrowed his brow, searching for an idea. "I'm sure she'll like anything you make," he offered, though his response was unhelpful.
Estella looked disappointed and returned to her seat, her brow furrowed. Roxanne, noticing Estella's distress, approached her. "What's wrong, Estella? Do you need help?"
Estella showed Roxanne the shell. "What should I do with this, Ms. Jarvis?" she asked, subtly disguising its intended purpose.
Roxanne examined the shell, momentarily stumped. After a moment, she suggested, "You could make it into a keychain. It's simple; just punch a hole at the end."
Estella's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Ms. Jarvis," she said, nodding obediently.
Roxanne returned to her work. Lucian noticed she also had a shell on her desk—one he hadn't seen her collect. He watched as she carefully glued it to two thin wires. Despite her busy hands, she periodically glanced at Estella.
A complex mix of emotions stirred within Lucian as he observed her. He found their shared thoughtfulness striking, even with their unawareness of each other's identities.
He then turned his attention to Archie and Benny. After observing their work—a blend of tablet use and shell polishing—he remained unsure of their project and eventually looked away.