“I’ll try to stay out of your way,” Letty said, “but Ava wanted me to get everything ready for tonight’s Ping-Pong tournament.”

She began straightening the coffee cart, mopping up spilled grounds, wiping down the sugar and powdered creamer containers and replenishing the supply of cardboard cups. She emptied the trash and began sweeping the terrazzo floor.

While Letty worked, the girls chatted among themselves, gently ribbing each other over missed clues.

She was setting up the refreshment table during a commercial break when Trudi turned to Arlene. “Doesn’t Letty remind you of someone?”

Letty ignored the comment, spreading out the red-and-white-checked tablecloth, smoothing out the fold marks. She went back to the closet for the second table. Arlene was sitting forward on the sofa, staring at her.

“Now that you mention it,” Billie said, “she does have one of those familiar faces.”

“It’s been driving me crazy,” Trudi said. “Letty, did you ever do any acting?”

Here it comes, Letty thought, trying to stay calm. “Yes, I tried acting. I wasn’t very successful at it. Every girl who goes to New York thinks they’re going to be the next Jennifer Lawrence. And then they end up working in a diner. Like me.”

“Were you ever on television?” Arlene asked.

“That’s what I said,” Trudi agreed. “She reminds me of someone I’ve seen on television.”

Wilona got up and refilled her coffee cup, stopping to study Letty’s face up close. “Trudi’s right. You’re sure pretty enough to be in show business.”

“I did some tiny bit parts,” Letty admitted, “but it was so long ago, I didn’t even keep track.”

“We don’t mean to pry,” Wilona said, “but you’re not exactly a senior citizen like all the rest of us who’ve been coming here for years. So, Letty dear, how did you end up here at the Murmuring Surf?”

Uh-oh, Letty thought. Here it comes. She needed to end this discussion.

“I had a bad breakup with my boyfriend, and I just wanted to get out of town, so I got in my car and started driving.” This was all true, if you stretched a point, which she didn’t mind doing.

“Isabelle tells me the little girl is your niece,” Alice said. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re raising her. I have a grandniece up home in Traverse City that I’m very close to. She usually flies down in April and drives back home with me at the end of the season.”

“She’s quite the little swimmer, your niece,” Billie commented. “Shouldn’t she be in school, though?”

“That child isn’t old enough to be in school yet, Billie,” Wilona said. “Not even five yet, isn’t that right?”

“That’s right,” Letty said. “Maya’s only four.”