“You said this is for the gala, right?” As her mother held the hanger, Lara slid the garment bag down, allowing a wash of midnight-blue chiffon to reveal itself. With a strapless bodice, the dress was like something out of vintage Barbie. Cascading down from the fitted waist was a full skirt with multiple tulle layers arranged like ombré waterfalls in different lengths and saturations of peacock. “You must have spent a fortune on this.”

“I did,” said Audrey. “Don’t get dust on it. I suppose you’ll want to alter it?”

Lara smiled. “No. It’s perfect. Thank you.”

Audrey ignored her and turned, the mother-daughter moment broken. “And that painting will look great with the rug I just bought you. Eggplant and gold tones, ornate. Perfect for this room. You also need wooden shutters.” Audrey scanned the room. “And a silver tea set.”

Oddjob came and sat at Lara’s feet. She could feel the dog lean slowly into her.

“You can also take him anytime you want. He misses you.”

As if to answer, Oddjob let out a sigh and stretched out on the floor in front of Lara like the Sphinx. Oddjob was hers, while Miss Moneypenny was her mother’s dog. Hugo, the ringleader, a tiny Welsh terrier, was nowhere to be found today.

Audrey retrieved the sunglasses that hung on the neck of her T-shirt and headed toward the door. Oddjob and Moneypenny scrambled up, their paws and claws scraping against the floor in a mad rush not to be left behind by the woman who fed them.

“I’ll come here around six tomorrow to pick you up for the circus.”

Lara frowned. “I don’t think I’m going this year.”

“Nonsense,” said Audrey. “The Rivolis will be hurt if you don’t go.”

Her mother pushed through the door and down the steps, walking around to the driver’s-side door. When she opened the back door, the dogs leapt into the backseat, Oddjob putting his paws up on the front-seat cup holder so he could get a good view of the windshield. After shutting the door, Audrey slid into the driver’s seat and lowered the passenger’s window. “Six tomorrow for the circus. No excuses.”

Lara saluted her.

Audrey slid her glasses down her nose. “And Lara.”

Lara leaned down to see her mother’s face.

“Him not coming back was always a possibility; you knew that. I’m glad to see you’re getting on with your life.”

Lara looked down at her dusty sneakers. She couldn’t help shake the feeling that she wasn’t getting the full truth from Audrey. They’d never lied to each other, but Audrey was definitely holding something back.

“And get a floor man in, will you?” Without another word, the door shut and the black Sierra Grande with the CABOT FARMS logo pulled out.