October came in cold and fast.

She noticed it first in the mornings — the specific quality of the dark when her alarm went off at seven, deeper than September dark, the kind that made the bed feel like the only warm place in the world. She started leaving her hoodie on the end of the bed so she could pull it on before her feet hit the floor. Small adjustment. Practical.

She noticed River had started leaving the kettle filled.

Not said anything about it. Just — the kettle was always full when she got up now, ready to go, and she made her coffee and his tea and...