I go over to the fridge and get out a bottle of gewürztraminer, which will be good with Indian food. I open the cabinet and consider which glasses to use, then decide to go with the same ones Kiera picked the other night. A small act of contrition for my pretentiousness.

“I know, Mammy,” she’s saying in the bedroom. “I told ye, please don’t tell anyone! Well, what do you mean it’s too late, I told you before I left not to— Well, why would you do that? You know Sara’s got a mouth the size of a bowhead whale.” She lowers her voice further. “The whole town will know by morning, and now Meg’s going to be at Aimee’s party with every old geezer— I know, Mam. I know you’re sorry. I know. But please, next time keep your mouth shut, won’t you? I know it’s a bit late now, I’m talking about next time!”

I walk over with a glass of wine and she gives me a grateful, apologetic look.

I mouth “It’s fine” as I sit down to give Maureen some scritches under the ears.

“Look, Mam, I’ve got to go— Mammy, no, don’t start in telling me about more gossip, that’s— No way, serious? I thought the two of them didn’t get on anymore? Really?”

Her eyes catch on me and my look of amusement.

“Ah, Mam, now you got me doing it!” she says. “I’ve got to go. Goodbye— No, goodbye, Mammy.”

She hangs up.

“Sorry about that,” she says.

“Really, I think it’ll be okay.”

A while later, we’re sitting outside at a little table, string lights turned on and music coming through the open windows.

“So, she’s directing the play? Who’s in it?”

“Some of the college kids. I think she’s having a lot of trouble with them though.”

“Maybe I can help out,” I say. “I don’t know how, but I mean … I act. I know about this kind of thing.”

“You two haven’t worked together like that in years. I’d be surprised if she lets you in. Plus, it’s only a few days away, I’m sure they’re in final rehearsals, no? You know better than I would.”

She’s right, of course.

“I’ll give it a shot,” I say. “Maybe I can remind her why we used to be friends. I just want to help. Even if it’s just as an usher or something, I don’t know.”

The food arrives and we set about arranging the feast on the table. Indian is always a highly aromatic cuisine, but this smells particularly good. It tastes even better. Every bite I take, I groan with amazement at how wonderful it is.

“I can’t believe you waited so long to eat. You’re awfully good at it,” says Kiera.