Sarah turned from Kiki before any tears came. She bounded down the stairs and steeled herself. She knew Kiki was following her. When she reached the living room, Arman was gone.

Kiki stood beside her. “Where did he go?”

Through the screen came the scent of sun-blasted grass.

“Is that them?” Sarah pointed toward the footbridge, where two men were crossing.

“No. No way. Those guys are younger and better looking.”

Sarah laughed. “You got in touch with us again because you need money. I’m just embarrassed I didn’t put it together before now. I’m sorry I’ve been so dense. Arman shouldn’t have had to ask.”

Kiki’s brow furrowed and her forehead creased, and for a moment she did look her age. “You think that’s the reason I invited you here?”

“It’s weird but I don’t mind. I just wish you’d been up-front about it.”

“I am up-front about it. We need money. We’re in serious debt. How much more up-front can I be? But that’s not why I got in touch.”

“No?”

“No.”

“You’re going to tell me that Matthew’s success did not pass through your mind as you wrote that first e-mail?”

Kiki shook her head. “This is really insulting.” She shook her head more vehemently and then stopped, looking confused, as if she’d somehow shaken off whatever she’d actually wanted to say. Then she looked out the window. “When you’re desperate, you think about everything.”

“Yeah. I know that.”

“You do?”

Sarah nodded.

Kiki’s gaze became assiduous, as if she was taking in the full meaning of what Sarah had implied. Desperate? She could almost see Kiki’s brain at work. What on earth did Sarah have to be desperate about?

“So…?” Sarah encouraged.

“So, yes, it passed through my mind that maybe Matt might be able to introduce Arman to some casting directors or at least offer some connections in order to break into voice-over work, which for some reason has always strangely eluded him. Don’t you think he has a great voice? Distinctive?”

“He does. It’s always reminded me of my father’s. He did voice work. Do you remember?”

“Of course. Of course I remember. Look, I don’t know, maybe I fantasized that you’d fall so in love with Sylvie that I’d ask you to be her godmother and you’d—I don’t know”—Kiki pulled at her knotty hair—“I don’t know—pay for her nursery school like in a fucking modern-day fairy tale. Would you judge me? Do you judge me for that fantasy?”

Sarah thought about it briefly. “No, I don’t.”

“Of course you do. And, anyway, it’s all ruined now because I told you!”

Sarah started laughing. “I forgot how funny you are.”

“That’s because I’m not.”

“But you always end up making me laugh.”