A WHILE LATER Claudia was checking the clock as she and Richie helped Leanne and Wilkie off with their coats. Where was Dan? “OK, first things first,” she declared as Tom came in with a hamper of seasonal goodies. “I know we promised beef Wellington for Richie’s birthday, but I’m afraid it was beyond us, so we’re having a barbecue instead.”

“It’s cool,” Richie assured them. “Actually, watching Dad and Leanne ripping out ‘Killer Queen’ is what tonight’s going to be all about for me.”

“It’s such a great idea, us all getting together like this,” Leanne declared, hugging Claudia and blowing a kiss to Andee. “Tom and I have been practicing our number.”

“Who are you performing with?” Andee asked Claudia as she helped pass around the mulled wine.

“Wilkie,” Claudia replied, and slipped an arm around Leanne’s mother’s shoulders.

“We’ve had no time to rehearse,” Wilkie informed Andee, “but I can tell you this, we’re going to smash it.”

Laughing, Claudia said, “Have you heard that Archie’s been booked for a gig at the Mermaid on New Year’s Eve?”

Everyone’s eyes rounded, showing how impressed they were.

“He’s been rehearsing with Jasmine since he got the call,” Claudia continued, “so it’s likely she’ll play too. I’ve booked a table for us all, but don’t worry if you can’t make it . . .”

Speaking from the door Dan said, “Sorry I’m late. Has anyone even noticed?”

Laughing, Claudia went to help him out of his coat. “Where are Archie and Maria?” she asked. “I thought you were bringing them.”

Taking the mulled wine Graeme was passing, Dan murmured, “They’re not coming.”

Overhearing, Marcy said, “What do you mean, they’re not coming?”

“He came by the office half an hour ago,” Dan explained, “and asked me to give you this.” Removing the package from his pocket, he handed it to Claudia with a brief shrug, letting her know that this was none of his doing.

Aware of the others watching her, Claudia opened the package and took out two white envelopes. One was addressed to her, the other to Marcy, and there was no mistaking the handwriting they’d come to know so well.

“What’s going on?” Jasmine asked as she and Abby came in from the garden. “Why’s everyone so quiet?”

Slipping an arm around her shoulders, Marcy said to Claudia, “Why don’t you read them out for us?”

Claudia glanced at Dan. “Do you know what they’re about?” she asked.

“More or less.”

Since he didn’t caution her to stop, she slipped the single page from her own envelope and began reading aloud.

Dear Claudia,