the child's caregiver. At the start of the novel, the serene beauty of the Vale of Newlands is juxtaposed with Mercy's poignant experience as she watches a children's procession pass by her cottage. She is unable to see them, yet her longing to connect with her child is palpable as she engages with her father, Laird Fisher, reflecting the deep emotional connections they share. The peaceful domestic setting gradually reveals tensions, particularly surrounding Mercy's blindness and the challenges of her motherhood. The opening sets a rich, evocative atmosphere while foreshadowing the struggles that Mercy will face as she grapples with her identity as a mother and her yearning for sight. (This is an automatically generated summary.)