It occurs to Gemma halfway through the meal. “We should’ve invited Holly. Inconsiderate of me.”

“That’s okay,” says Ava.

“I could bring her leftovers. Maybe later I’ll put some in a Tupperware and go up.”

“Oh, she and I are having lunch tomorrow,” says Ava. “I’ll do it. This keeps well, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, very well,” says Gemma. “In fact, it makes for a good cold lunch.”

“Perfect!” says Olive immediately.

Gemma realizes it’s possible Ava’s really saying that Gemma going up to Holly’s isn’t the best idea. But Gemma can understand that. “I hope Holly didn’t find me too embarrassing last night,” she says.

“Oh no”—Ava smiles—“not at all.”

“Phew.”

Olive and Ava exchange looks. They could be humouring her, or perhaps what they are really trying to do is prevent Gemma from wandering around the building in any respect. (Gemma can understand both those things as well.) In any case, it doesn’t matter. They are tucking into a nice meal, and Olive is already reaching for seconds. “This tastes so good.”

“I am certainly glad you’re enjoying it,” Gemma says, seated at the head of the kitchen table, wineglass in hand, sitting back in her chair. She is enjoying watching Olive and Ava eat. “Go to Kopper Kettle if you ever want this on your own. Kopper Kettle’s still around, eh? Certainly don’t need me here.”

There’s an awkward silence after that, and then Olive says, “Holly’s Mennonite too, right?”

“Yeah,” says Ava. “I mean, she’s not—Like, her parents aren’t …” Ava looks to Gemma.

“You are trying to say she was not raised in bonnets and buggies,” Gemma says, a soft tease in her voice.

Ava blushes and nods. She’s wearing a red flared skirt and her hair is in a high pony.

“Were you?” asks Olive.

“No,” Gemma says quietly. “I went to a church that met in a house. It was liberal, comparatively. We met in people’s houses all around this area. My father and I. He wasn’t even that religious then. He is now; his new wife’s Baptist. Anyway. Back then, around here, he was looked on suspiciously enough as a single father, and he was a teacher; he had a position in the community. Way he saw it, he needed to be at a church. And with me … I’m not sure he even would’ve known how a kid gets raised without one.” Ava nods. “I wonder sometimes if it was hard for him. He had to leave his church after university.”

“Why did that happen?” asks Olive.

Gemma gazes at her. This might be the first time she’s witnessed Olive be interested in something. Gemma does not enjoy the sensation of being interesting. But she will go with it. “He told his minister he did not understand why the fact that someone did not believe in Jesus Christ meant that they should go to hell. And the minister did not have an answer.”