“It’s become a crime to use rainbows?”

“These days it seems to be,” Helen said dryly. “There are a few other things. They’re all ridiculous, of course. For example, you’ve drawn Daphne giving Melissa a kiss in at least three different books, including Tumble.”

“They’re best friends!”

“Yes, well …” Like Molly, Helen had given up any pretense of eating, and she crossed her arms on the edge of the table. “Also, Daphne and Melissa are holding hands and skipping down Periwinkle Path. There’s some dialogue.”

“A song. They’re singing a song.”

“That’s right. The lyrics are ‘It’s spring! It’s spring! We’re gay! We’re gay!’  ”

Molly laughed for what seemed the first time in two months, but her editor’s tight-lipped smile sobered her. “Helen, you’re not seriously telling me they think Daphne and Melissa are getting it on?”

“It’s not just Daphne and Melissa. Benny—”

“Hold it right there! Even the most paranoid person couldn’t accuse Benny of being gay. He’s so macho that he—”

“They’ve pointed out that he borrows a lipstick in Daphne Plants a Pumpkin Patch.”

“He uses it to make his face scary so he can frighten Daphne! This is so ludicrous it doesn’t even deserve a response.”

“We agree. On the other hand, I’d be less than truthful if I didn’t admit we’re a little edgy about this. We think SKIFSA wants to use you to raise their profile, and they’re going to do it by zeroing in on Daphne Takes a Tumble.”

“So what? When the fringe groups started accusing J. K. Rowling of Satanism in the Harry Potter books, her publisher ignored it.”

“Forgive me, Molly, but Daphne isn’t quite as well known as Harry Potter.”

And Molly didn’t have either J. K. Rowling’s clout or her money. The possibility of Helen’s authorizing the rest of her advance seemed to be growing more remote by the minute.

“Look, Molly, I know this is ridiculous, and Birdcage is standing behind the Daphne books one hundred percent—there’s no question about that. But we’re a small company, and I thought it was only fair to tell you that we’re getting a fair amount of pressure about Daphne Takes a Tumble.”

“I’m sure it’ll disappear as soon as the press lets go of the story about … about my marriage.”

“That may take a while. There’s been so much speculation …” She let her words trail off, subtly hinting for details.