Then I remembered Vanessa telling me that money was tight and Daniel kept putting off buying Lily a proper coat.
I felt my face grow hot.
Something was terribly wrong.
But I didn't yet know what.
I called Ruth at eight-thirty.
She answered on the second ring.
"Margaret?"
"I need you to look at something."
My voice must have frightened her because she immediately asked whether Lily was safe.
"I think so," I said. "But I need your opinion."
I sent her the photographs.
She called back less than a minute later.
"Margaret."
"I know."
"Where did you get the one with the cream sweater?"
"Daniel's page."
"And the other?"
"I took it today."
Ruth was silent.
Then she asked, "Have you spoken to Daniel?"
"Not yet."
"Why?"
I looked toward Claire's photograph.
"Because I don't want to accuse anyone without understanding what's happening."
Ruth exhaled.
"Good. Then ask him questions."
I nodded.
"That's what I intend to do."
My sister paused.
"Margaret, don't ask Vanessa to explain this first."
I looked up.
"Why not?"
"Because every time you've noticed something strange, she's been the person who explained it."
I stared at the photographs.
Ruth continued.
"And somehow, her explanations always make Daniel look responsible."
I felt cold.
"Yes."
"Call him directly."
I rubbed my forehead.
"It's late."
"Then call him tomorrow morning."
I looked at the clock.
"What if I'm wrong?"
Ruth's voice softened.
"Then you'll have asked a father whether his child has enough clothes. That's not the end of the world."
I closed my eyes.
"What if I'm right?"
My sister didn't answer immediately.
Then she said, "Then Lily needs us to stop worrying about making the adults uncomfortable."
Those words stayed with me through the night.
I barely slept.
At nine the following morning, I called Daniel.
I hadn't spoken to him directly in nearly three weeks.
He answered with surprise.
"Margaret? Everything okay?"
"Good morning, Daniel."
His tone immediately became concerned.
"Is Lily all right?"
I swallowed.
"As far as I know."
There was a pause.
"Then what's happened?"
I sat down at my kitchen table.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
I looked at the photographs.
"When was the last time you bought Lily clothes?"
Daniel laughed in confusion.
"Clothes?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
"Ordinary clothes. Dresses, sweaters, shoes."
He hesitated.
"Last weekend, I think. We ordered a few things before that too."