“Hi” said Shane, with a pause

Lena smiled at the other women standing by her, Lena noticed the tall dark haired woman beside her, slightly nudge her.

“Oh, this is Bette and Tina,” said Shane, motioning to the two women on her right.

Bette held out her hand and said a polite hello, as did Tina, who Lena couldn’t help but notice was more than slightly showing a baby bump beneath her creatively draped shawl.

“And this is Alice and Dana” continued Shane

Alice and Dana stood close by Lena’s left, and Lena turned slightly to shake their offered hands. Lena still found Dana to be remarkably familiar.

“Well its open bar at the moment, apparently guests are still arriving,” said Lena, “The cocktails are pretty impressive”

They approached the bar, as guests milled about them, most with drinks in their hands and expectant faces. One or two kept casting long glances towards the entrance, obviously expecting a few famous faces to enter at some time or other, although Lena suspected their presence would be know more so by the entourage they’d be flanked by upon setting foot in the foyer. At the bar the five ordered drinks and as the barman whisked up five cocktails of various mixes, Shane turned her attention to Lena.

“Have you been here long” she asked, leaning slightly on the bar.

Lena shook her head, smiling as a young man sidled by her and knocked into her elbow a moment.

“No barely arrived myself” she replied as she steadied her drink “We were convoyed here straight from the viewing”

“Did you enjoy it?” asked Shane as a cocktail glass was placed by her arm

“It was your usual summer blockbuster hit,” said Lena trying to be subtle, “Enjoyable but nothing surprising”

The conversation was cut in by an announcement that they could move into the privacy of the ballroom being used for the party. The crowds milled towards the double doors where ushers were helping direct them to seats.

“Will they let us all in?” murmured Shane quietly

“Shouldn’t see why not” replied Lena, pulling out invitations from her bag “Seems they are intent on making sure plenty of people are here”