<div style="text-align: justify;">Catherine's smile didn't falter as David greeted her in that manner. The little girl was used to her friend's behavior. It didn't really bother her that he didn't act nearly as effusively as she did. Catherine knew, deep inside, that David liked her as much as she liked him. And that was enough for the girl.<br/><br/>Looking more closely at her friend, she could also notice that something was not quite right. Maybe he had gotten in trouble at home, she thought to herself. Well, he probably would not admit it. But she was better now, and had every intention of keeping her best friend out of trouble.<br/><br/>Widening her bright smile when David said he was glad she was feeling better, Catherine took one step closer to her friend and stole a quick kiss from his cheek. She loved these little kinds of mischief and the reactions they got.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF00BF">"I am perfectly fine now. I have been well for a few days, but the physician said I should stay home for a while more, just to make sure nobody else could catch what I had"</span>, Catherine explained. She looked healthy as usual, though maybe a little thinner. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"But yesterday, he came to see me and found nothing more in my throat, so I am fine now".</span><br/><br/>After these words, the girl started walking, motioning for David to come along. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"I have seen from my window that you have not been outside much"</span>, she remarked, not staring at him. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"I hope you have not been ill"</span>. After these words, Catherine looked at her friend with the corner of her eyes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF00BF">"Would you like to go to the harbor now? I have missed seeing the ships, and I have a new story to tell"</span>, she invited.<br/><br/>It was one of the regular things about Catherine. Every time the mysterious dark coach visited her home, Catherine had a new story, one she only shared with her best friend.</div>