“Tina this is Alice,” Kit said when they got to the familiar blonde.

“Hi,” Tina said shyly.

“Hello,” Alice said, looking at Tina speculatively. “You must be the neighbor we’ve heard so much about.”

Tina frowned. “You heard about me?”

“Ignore her,” Kit said, her manner confidential. “The one thing you need to know about Alice is to never trust her with information.” Kit gave Alice a look. “She can’t keep anything to herself.”

Alice shrugged. “Nice to meet you Tina.”

“And this is Gabby,” Kit said, gesturing to a pretty, bored looking brunette seated next to Alice. Tina nodded at her. Gabby’s eyes raked over Tina. “Nice dress,” she said, dripping insincerity. Tina looked down, feeling a flush heat her face.

There was some issue with the food, and Kit was called back across the yard to deal with it. “I’ll be right back,” she said, leaving Tina standing awkwardly in front of Gabby and Alice.

“I guess I should go say hello to Bette. I don’t want to be rude.” Tina’s eyes scanned the immediate area.

“You don’t have to go anywhere. She’s right behind you.” Alice’s eyes flicked over Tina’s shoulder. “Hey, Porter.”

Tina turned and smiled at Bette.

“You made it!” Bette said, returning her smile. “I’m so glad.”

“Hi…”

“Have you met everyone?”

Tina nodded. “Kit saw to that.”

“Ah, so you met Kit. She’s my sister. She runs a cafe so she’s used to acting as a hostess.”

There was a mild stir at the other end of the yard as some more women arrived. “I’ll be right back,” Bette promised, going to say hello to her new guests.

Tina hesitated, not sure of where to go.

“Sit down,” Alice said, gesturing to a nearby chair. “No offense, but you’re making me nervous.”

“Sorry,” Tina murmured. She sat down to one side of Alice and tried to make herself relax.

“So anyway,” Gabby spoke up. “Like I was saying, work is a total nightmare. My boss’s kids have nothing to do since school let out, and for the second time this week, he’s sent me to go collect the mini monsters from day camp. Like I’m some kind of goddamned baby-sitter.”