Nineteen
Heron pulled out Grace’s seat for her as she settled down at the table. There were ten chairs in all, but they occupied the three at one end. Nora sat at the head of the table in a dark pantsuit, just to Grace’s right. Heron sat across from her, on Nora’s right side.
“You both look very nice,” Nora said. “Heron, before you settle in, tell Estelle we’re ready.”
Heron rose and disappeared through a swinging door behind him.
“Thank you so much for letting me stay here,” Grace said. “It’s very generous of you.”
Nora lifted her cocktail. “We haven’t had guests in quite some time. And I was more than a little curious to see what has been occupying Heron’s attention. I’m not disappointed. You look very beautiful in that dress.”
The woman made no attempt to hide where her eyes had w
