William And Mary - A Drabble

'You’re my king.’

‘You’re my queen.’

‘Lyra is our little princess.’

The parents looked down into the crib. Their new baby lay under the blankets with her thumb in her mouth, sucking it affectionately.

Mary Malone had never returned to science. Will Parry’s school career had not been distinguished. They lived together in a shabby flat on a tired council estate. Their child was their only hope in a hopeless world.

‘Can you see her daemon?’

‘No, I can’t.’

A cat and an alpine chough shook their heads and left the bedroom, never to return. They took hope with them.