Riley London, Genevieve’s great-granddaughter and Juliet’s favorite babysitter for the girls, ran past, chasing Sloane and a little girl with wild hair. The Finlay kid, maybe? “Hi, Ms. Frost!” Riley said over her shoulder. She was with Rav Talwar, Saanvi’s son. Juliet had hired her to keep an eye on some of the younger kids, a move appreciated by the guests who had youngsters. Brianna could’ve done it, too, but she wasn’t that kind of twelve-year-old, and besides, twelve was a little young . . . or was Juliet just making excuses for her? Should she have forced Brianna into service? What if she became one of those horrible, entitled kids, or was she already? Had Juliet failed her? Should she make Brianna volunteer at more than the town arts festival? Maybe bring her to a nursing home and—

“Everything all right, darling?” Mom asked.

“Just fine. Great! How are you? Remember, you’re a guest here. Don’t let everyone talk your ear off. I want you to relax. Did you have something to drink? The food is great, too. Go! Enjoy.”

“Mrs. Frost, could I have a second of your time?” asked a woman whose name Juliet could never remember. “It’s an issue involving some water runoff in my yard, and we left a voice mail with your office last night, but we haven’t heard from you.”

“Probably because it’s Saturday, and even the first selectman gets a day off,” Juliet said, smiling to soften the words. “My mom is officially off duty.”

“No, it’s fine. What’s going on?” Mom said, ever gracious, and Juliet wondered if anyone had any idea how much work she did.

Juliet texted Brianna—ridiculous, yes, but she had sixty people here, and didn’t have the time to go up and down four flights, looking for her eldest, who was doubtlessly hiding.

Nana and Auntie Caro could use some company and a bodyguard. Would you mind hanging out with them?

Sure, came the answer.

Good. That was nice. Maybe Brianna wasn’t beyond salvaging. Now Juliet would know where her daughter was and that Mom was with one of her favorite people.

A burst of laughter came from a group in the corner—Emma London, who was Riley the babysitter’s mom, Jamilah Finlay, whom Juliet knew from the Stoningham Women’s Association, and Beth, who worked as the manager at Harvest, where she and Oliver ate from time to time. This reminded her that they hadn’t gone on a date in ages. The women were all younger than she was—more like Arwen’s age. Evelyn from her book club was here, as well as Lucia and Emiko, all women Juliet knew and liked. The folks from Oliver’s work.