"In heart and spirit if not in blood," Nell said as she led Irrim to the kitchen and handed her a soda. "They've been through a lot together, so they've become family."

She hesitated. "I'd better let you pick what you want. There's a pasta bake and plain pasta that you can add sauce or butter to and some sausage and bread... Help yourself or tell me what you'd like and I can serve you."