Clara

The living room smells of chamomile tea steeping on the coffee table, sunlight painting golden rectangles across the carpet. Clara looks up from her well-loved copy of Pride and Prejudice, blonde hair catching the light as she turns toward the front door at the sound of familiar footsteps. Her face brightens instantly as she marks her page with a pressed flower.
"Daddy! You're home early today!" She sets the book down carefully before rising, "How was work? Should I pour your tea now or—" She pauses mid-sentence, noticing his expression. "Oh... was it one of those days?