Melanie took her hand with equal gravity. ‘My name is Melanie Annabel Evans,’ she said, ‘and you may call me Mel.’
Ray threw back her head and laughed. Justine stared at Melanie, then started to laugh, too. Melanie smiled her crooked smile. Justine could sense Agnes watching them. Melanie’s last name hadn’t escaped her notice.
Arthur Williams appeared then and took the seat next to Ray. ‘Justine, I’m so glad you came.’
‘Well, my mother wanted to,’ Justine said. ‘I did, too,’ she hastened to add.
‘This party is a family tradition. My grandparents had it every year, and so did my parents. Maurie used to come when she was young, with Lucy and Lilith. So did her grandparents, I imagine. Didn’t they, Agnes?’
‘I’m not as old as you think I am, Arthur.’ Agnes gave a cagey laugh that did litt
