“MRS. GENOVA?” Bang, bang, bang. “Mrs. Genova?”
Luella stirred, but only slightly. She felt as though she’d downed an entire bottle of wine the night before.
“Mrs. Genova?” Bang, bang, bang. “Luella...?”
Prying herself out of bed, Luella hobbled sleepily across the room. She opened the blinds, and then the window.
Chandelle stood at her front door wearing a burgundy pantsuit and a cream-coloured blouse that shone like silk in the early morning sun.
“What do you want?” Luella asked, trying not to choke too hard on the frog in her throat.
“Oh. You’re up there.”
Luella stuck her head out the window without the slightest concern for how her hair might look at this hour. “What time is it, for goodness’ sake?”
“Almost eight. Can I come in for a sec?”
Glancing at her tatty nig
