"What was that about?" Alec asked, after he and Darlene found a small table at the edge of the garden. He looked back at Brenda who was standing with arms folded apparently daring Wally to say something. Sophia was trailing her stormy husband at a distance as the headed back toward the bar.

"Nothing important. How long have you lived here?" Darlene sat on one of the small iron chairs and smoothed her skirt over her legs.

"Oh I guess it's maybe seven years now."

"Really! I've known Brenda almost fifteen years and I never heard her mention- I mean she- I mean I've visited her here before and I never saw..." She pressed her glass against her forehead and looked down.

"I pretty much stay in my apartment writing." He said, rescuing her from embarrassment.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

"I know. No harm no foul." He looked up at the sky and cleared his throat. "So uh, fifteen years huh? You guys go to university together or something?"

"I wish. I'm a receptionist, Alec."

"No! I didn't- uhm, oh, right! That's the new job."

She laughed again. "Yes, the new position, remember?"

"I do." He kicked at the grass and sat in the chair opposite. "So how did you meet?" He saw her face change and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Can I get you another drink?"

"I met Brenda when I was rebounding from a bad relationship." Their eyes locked without blinking. Alec held his breath without realizing. "We became close friends, tennis, gyms, that sort of thing..."

He expelled a lungful of air and tried to cover up with a cough. "So ah, how- where uhm..."

"Yes Alec, we had a relationship." She stood and began walking away, then stopped and turned to face him. "I won't lie. It was nice but it was not what I was looking for. Even Brenda isn't totally committed to- to..."

"I don't need to know, Darlene. I'm sorry. I was just making stupid conversation." He stood and moved closer, taking her hand. "I don't judge people that way. I like people for their smiles, their interests, their humour... and their honesty." He dropped her hand and smiled ruefully. "I sound like I'm some kind of pompous standard you have to measure up to."

"No you don't. Let's forget it. I would like another drink." She said. "And maybe some more information on your likes and dislikes."

Emily turned a shy smile on Alec as he approached the bar. She was on her own at last, away from Regina who was strolling the garden with Millicent, and she felt exhilarated with the thrill.

Alec gave her a big smile as he reached the table, making a show of admiring her dress. "You look great tonight, Emily. Something else is very different, what is it?"

She blushed and waited until he placed his order. "I think I- I think it's just being away from Regina for a bit." She confessed, turning to make certain no one else heard and finding Brenda standing behind her.

"It can't hurt, Em. You need some space from your mother-in-law." Brenda reached around her and handed her glass to the bartender, indicating a refill.

Emily blushed and glanced across the garden. "I know, that's why I plan to enjoy this evening."

"Well from what I see, you should do it more often." Alec said. He picked up his drinks and smiled again as he left.

The evening continued with romantic melodies from the Palm Court Theatre Orchestra, Millicent's second favourite, wafting in the night air as a backdrop to the murmured conversations. The guests mingled, coming together like tiny wavelets and separating the same way; new clusters forming and reforming in different areas of the vast garden.

At the edge of the garden, behind the lantern lights, guests could stand in amazement at the massive twinkling in the starlit sky. Brenda wandered up to the bar and ordered a fresh drink, remarking to Emily that she shouldn't be a bar fly, she should mingle a little more, and with a pat on the back, she left her where she found her. Emily sighed and blushed again as she noticed the young bartender watching her.

"I could freshen that for you." He offered.

She studied his smooth features and clear eyes, thinking that he was probably eighteen or twenty years her junior. "Thank you."

He took her glass and deftly prepared a surprisingly fast cocktail with slices of fruit and a small straw, passing to her over his arm with a charming smile. Emily bowed her head and accepted the glass, watching him over the rim as she sipped the contents.

"Excellent." She exclaimed. "What a wonderful flavour. Am I in danger of getting tipsy from this?" Her smile felt free and relaxed and she leaned a hip against the table, sipping more. At precisely that moment, the sultry voice of a female singer sang the lyrics, 'You bring out the gypsy in me...' and they looked at one another and laughed, sharing the irony.

"I'm uh, due for relief in a few minutes. Would you spend my break with me? We could find a place and talk... enjoy a drink together."

"One of these?" She gushed, eyes sparkling. The age difference vanished in the glow of the garden lanterns and the soft melodies from the sound system.

"If you like."

"I would."