“Well, that all sounds reasonable, so I guess we have a deal.” Charlotte lay down, her head on Maggie’s lap. “Now, I know you said that your bedroom was private, but what if Mr Bear has a nightmare?” A worn teddybear appeared in Charlotte’s hands. “Can we come sleep in your bed with you then?” Charlotte turned to look at the camera with big puppy-eyes and for a moment, Maggie saw the scared little girl she had met at Eliza’s house.

Oh man, that place really fucked her up.

She wanted to pull Charlotte onto her lap, wrap her arms around her and comfort her. “Of course Charlie.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte whispered and snuggled closer to the virtual Maggie

Maggie smiled and tried to make her copy stroke Charlotte’s hair. She thought she could almost feel the weight of Charlotte’s head on her lap.