“Will you stay for a cup of tea,” Sheila offered.
“Not today,” Grace replied, “I've got lots of guests who'll be waiting for their afternoon treats.”
Despite actually being free from ties for the next hour, Grace had forced herself to decline refreshments, feeling that the other woman's gesture had been half-hearted and obligatory. She turned to leave.
“Well, it was good of you to call,” Sheila smiled, “And thank you for the apple pie.”
Grace stepped back out into the sunlight and twirled around to look at her old school chum.
“Well, it's lovely to see you again,” she said sadly, wishing that their first meeting after all these years had been more joyful, “Perhaps you and Terry would like to pop round for a drink one evening.”
“Perhaps,” Sheila repeated, not sounding very convincing,
