Not having anticipated that he’d come out so soon, Susan had no escape plan. There were no walls to duck behind, no trees—but there, parked behind her on the road, was a van, with one back door open to accommodate the long beams of wood that were sticking out. Out of options and out of time, Susan scooted around the open door and thrust herself into a gap not designed for someone with hips. With a bit of a wriggle, it was enough. Her fingers hooked onto the cord that held the planks together. Chest squashed against the wood, Susan glanced back, confident that by crooking her knees, she’d remain safely out of sight.

There was no sound from outside. No footsteps. Head twisted around, Susan stared out into the night, wondering how long she’d have to wait before she could get out and get to yoga.

At which point the van rumbled to life and pulled away from the curb.

With Esther having cried off and an absent Susan, Daisy could feel the familiar breath of anxiety whispering in her ear as she made her way up the drive. Esther doesn’t think yoga is proper exercise . . . Susan hates relaxing . . . They’re tired after spending so much time doing all your ridiculous clubs . . .They’re bored with you . . .

Enough of this. Susan had probably arrived already. Having waited for Esther, Daisy was a little later than she’d planned.

The smile with which Elise greeted Daisy when she opened the door was enough to push back even the darkest of thoughts. “Daisy! Zoise embraces you. Welcome, Sister.”

She offered Daisy a cookie from the plate in her hand and peered over Daisy’s shoulder at the shadowed driveway. “Didn’t you say we’d be welcoming some of your friends?”

There was no hiding the effect the question had on her, and Daisy drooped as she let go of the final flutter of hope. “You mean Susan’s not here?”

Elise shook her head and put a solicitous arm around Daisy’s waist, guiding her through the house.

“I’m so sorry, Daisy. Sometimes friends let us down.” She walked ahead of Daisy down the stone steps toward the welcoming warmth of the basement, turning to talk over her shoulder. “That’s why we need our family . . .”

There was already a semicircle on the mats, everyone in their robes, Brother Jasper at the lectern ready to deliver the Voice of Zoise that would lead them into meditation. As one, the Brethren turned to Daisy, standing up in welcome and waving her into their midst.

“We’d just wrapped up the Ceremony of Sharing,” Jasper said once she was settled. “Having attended your first few sessions, it is time for you to make a commitment to Zoise and pursue the path of enlightenment.”

“Oh, er, of course . . .”