Annabelle beamed. “I’m almost five!” Kate smiled at her daughter as they sat down to have some lunch. “Can I have some apple juice?”

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll get it,” Hilda answered before Kate could.

Hilda stood in front of the open refrigerator door for a moment and then turned around. “Kate, why are your EpiPens in here?”

“What?” Kate rose and hurried over. “Who would’ve done that?” Everyone who worked at the house knew that the EpiPens had to be kept at room temperature.

Hilda pulled them out and shook her head. “I have no idea.”

Kate felt heat rise in her chest. Hilda was looking at her like she thought Kate had done it. She snatched them from Hilda’s hand and threw them into the trash. “They’re no good now!”

Kate took her seat again next to Annabelle. She was trying to put on a cheerful face for her daughter, but her mood was dark. The day before, she’d gone through the house and checked all the expiration dates on the EpiPens. That text about the nut allergy statistics had made her nervous. She’d put them all back in their proper places, though, hadn’t she? She had put a few high up on a cabinet shelf yesterday when Hilda interrupted her, asking some things about the birthday party. But Kate wouldn’t have been so absentminded as to put them in the refrigerator, would she?

Hilda took the apple juice from the refrigerator and poured a glass for Annabelle. “I’ll get one of the epis from the dining room.” Her voice startled Kate. Maybe Hilda was trying to drive her crazy. Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, bracing herself, and blew out a breath when she saw it was Blaire.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi there. Just wanted to see if you need me to pick anything up for the party tonight while I’m out.”

“Thanks, but I think Fleur took care of everything. Do you have a lot of errands to run?”

“Just a couple. But I also decided my nails aren’t fit to be seen, so I’m getting a manicure. I have to stop back at the Four Seasons for more clothes anyhow, so I’ll have it done there. I’ll be back to help before the party starts. You sound stressed.”

Kate stood and moved from the kitchen to the hallway, out of Annabelle’s and Hilda’s hearing. “Blaire, my mind’s racing. Someone put my EpiPens in the refrigerator. I think it was Hilda!”

“What?” Blaire said.

The words rushed out. “Maybe she’s sabotaging me? Or Simon, maybe. I don’t know. Someone is trying to make me look crazy. When is this going to stop?”

“Try to calm down. Do something to try and relax. Make some tea? Have a bath? I’ll see you in a few hours, okay?”