Kael
The final copy had a word I hadn't agreed to.
"Normally," I said.
Tessa followed my finger.
"I saw it."
"Then why is it still there?"
"Because this is the convenor's revision. The liaison hasn't accepted it."
I set the page down.
"Good."
"You could read the note attached to it before beginning the argument."
The note was under my hand.
I moved my hand.
The note had a date, a source and a short instruction to compare the revision with the agreed draft. Tessa had underlined the instruction. I was doing an excellent job of helping her make her case about reading before speaking.
"How many changes?" I asked.
"Read it."
"You enjoyed that."
"A little."
I sat in the chair she had left clear and put the three pages in order. My first instinct had been to arrive ready for an argument. It took more effort to arrive ready to find out which argument was actually needed.
Tessa moved the water within reach and returned to her own copy.
