“It’s a little slice of heaven,” Charlotte remarked, in awe.

“Come and sit.” Myra gestured to the table, loaded with a bounty of scones, fruit, finger sandwiches, and small cakes. Charles pulled out a chair for Charlotte and one for Myra and they both sat down.

“I could get used to this.” Charlotte beamed.

Charles took Myra’s hand and gave it a quick peck. “I will leave you lovely women to chat. I have some items I need to work on. Not the least of which is dinner.”

Charlotte let out a pleasant groan. “Dinner? After all this?” She swept her hand across the bounty of their high tea.

“This is just to hold you over.” Myra chuckled. “Charles, what is on the menu?”

As Charles was exiting, he replied over his shoulder, “Oven-roasted branzino with a rice pilaf and asparagus. We’ll start with a Bibb lettuce salad with toasted almonds in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.” Charles ticked off the details as if he were the maître d’ at a five-star restaurant.

“No head, please?” Charlotte was almost begging, knowing branzino was often served whole.

Myra patted her hand. “Not to worry. Charles fillets it for us. No head. No bones.”

Charlotte relaxed back in her chair. “Will the girls be joining us?”

“Just Annie and Fergus. Nikki has some work to catch up on and wants to do some FaceTime with Jack, who is out of town just now. There are certain technologies I’m not crazy about, but that one seems to be something they enjoy when they’re apart. It keeps them ‘connected,’ as Nikki would say. An electronic tether.” Both women giggled. “The rest of the girls are all working on various projects.” Myra was not about to reveal the true nature of those projects.

Charles returned briefly and poured each of the women a glass of sherry and served it on a silver tray, bowed, and left them alone to chat.

“So, dear, how are you feeling?” Myra said, changing the subject.

“Honestly, I haven’t felt this good in quite a while. This clear. This calm. Must be the way you’re spoiling me.” Charlotte almost started to blush.

“I’m very happy to hear this. But you know, I insist on spoiling you.” Myra gave Charlotte another reassuring pat. “So, tell me, who is that Dr. Marcus you were seeing in London? What was he treating you for?” Enough time had passed, and Myra had to start digging for more information.

“It’s almost embarrassing to talk about.” Charlotte sighed.

“Don’t be silly. We’re friends. You can tell me anything,” Myra reassured her again.