Alec watched them go, matching Sophia's sadness with a twinge of his own, then crossed the lawn to the canapé table and examined the various selections, plopping a crab puff into his mouth. He felt badly for his neighbour and he was suspicious that she was a victim of some abuse. It wasn't his business but he wasn't going to ignore the possibility either. He would keep an eye on things and play it by ear. A hand tugged at his sleeve.

"Alec, I'd like you to meet my friend, Darlene. This is my neighbour, Alec Fletcher." He turned to find himself facing a quite striking woman with short, dark hair and smiling eyes that captivated. She extended her fingers and Alec mumbled something through the crab, setting his drink on the table to take her hand. "Darlene tried out her new position today so we're using tonight to celebrate."

He gaped at Brenda, his face becoming pink in the lantern light.

"A new job, Alec, a new job." Brenda started laughing and Darlene joined Alec in changing colour.

"Aah, how nice. Excuse me, this crab is sticking to my teeth." He took a mouthful of drink and swished it around in his mouth before swallowing. "I apologize. Hardly a good first impression." He smiled with burning cheeks at the two women.

"Don't worry, I told her you were a writer and didn't get out in public much." Brenda bent with a squeak of laughter as his face flamed brighter and he averted his eyes from an amused Darlene.

"How do I begin to thank you?" He said, good-naturedly. "Can I get you a drink? That might be a good start."

"Vodka and soda, please," Darlene said.

"I guess Molly doesn't serve beer, does she? I'll have a rum and coke. Lots of ice." Brenda leaned between them and helped herself to a mysterious piece of pastry.

"Is it necessary to give out my life story?" Darlene tried the same pastry and nodded with pleasure.

"He's nice isn't he? I told you. Very malleable."

"Brenda! That's mean. He is ni—holy shit!"

"Excuse me?"

"That's him!"

"Him who?" Brenda turned to see where she was looking.

"The guy that hit on me at work." Darlene turned her back and tugged at her friend's arm. "Don't let him see us."

"Wally! You work at Wally's place?" Brenda started to laugh and in a moment she had the attention of the others as she bent over, stepping in small, random circles.

"Drunk already, Carlisle?" Wally swaggered up, pulling Cheryl after him. He glanced at Darlene without recognition and chuckled. "This your new girlfriend?"

Brenda looked up, nodding and still fighting her laughter. "Yes- yes it I- it is, Wally. Meet my new g-g-g-irlfriend-d-d, Darlene. Honey, this is Wally Spade, stud about town." She reeled back and started laughing all over again as Darlene turned her blistering stare on Wally.

"YOU!" He stepped back as if slapped and glared at Brenda. "This some kinda jok—"

"Your drinks, ladies." Alec stepped into the center of the group and delivered the drinks, keeping his back to Wally. May I show you about the garden, Darlene?" He held out an arm and led the way across the lawn away from the fuming Wally Spade.

Regina and Emily arrived just as Wally was strutting across the lawn toward the upstairs group, the gangly mod Cheryl, following helplessly on blocky platforms. They changed course and glided with stately grace toward Millicent, greeting their hostess and those with her in a most gracious manner.

"Emily! You look marvelous," Millicent took her hand and turned the younger woman about. "That dress is simply stunning. It's so you, my dear, it's so...this evening!"

"Thank you, " Emily said with an enthusiasm none of the others were familiar with from her. "It's always been my favourite."

"And so it should be, my dear," Stanley added, offering her a glass of wine. "May I get one for you, Regina?"

Regina inclined her head and did a slow bat of her eyes. "That would be lovely, Stanley. Thank you." She let her eyes stray to the bar and linger on the back of Wally Spade. What strange quirk of luck had ever possessed Millicent to lease an apartment to someone like him was beyond her, but it definitely suited her schemes for she and her daughter-in-law. It was time for life to provide for Regina for a change.

Stanley moved to the bar alongside Wally, who just arrived, still fuming from his discovery of Darlene being a friend of Brenda. Cheryl stood back looking lost and out of place, hands gripped tightly near her stomach. He watched as Wally poured himself a drink and swallowed it down then poured another.

"I think the young lady might like something, Walter."

"Then you get it for her, and get something for that mangy mutt of yours. Preferably poison. And it's Wally, you old fart. Walter for Christ's sake." He stormed away from the bar heading back down the garden toward Sophia and the Dashers, ignoring Cheryl.

Stanley followed Wally's departure with a scathing look, then picked up the glass of wine for Regina and delivered it, returning to the bar for another of his whiskeys.

"Little prick," Sebastian scowled, shaking his head and positioning himself as an ally in protest with Stanley.

"He's just upset about something," Cheryl smiled teetering a little closer to Stanley as he waited to be served. "But thanks anyway."

Sebastian hitched up his pants and with a stubborn look moved off into the garden.

They watched him for a moment and then Stanley said, "Well what would you like then?" He gripped her elbow and pulled her closer to the table.

"Oh gee, can I? I mean, Wally didn't—"

Stanley leaned up to the woman's ear and whispered softly just what Wally might consider trying, and Cheryl slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled like a child. "That's awful! You are a naughty man, Mister..."

"Stanley Whitehouse, Miss..."

"Cheryl, Cheryl Woznoski."

"Well Cheryl Woznoski, I may be a naughty man but I can certainly recognize a lovely, abandoned young lady when I see one." He tipped a toast to her and his eyes twinkled.

"And I know a opening line when I hear one, Stanley Whitehouse." She smiled pleasantly and slipped her arm through his. "I'd like a glass of wine please and then I'd like a slow tour of this lovely garden."

"One of your finest vintages, bartender," Stanley said, placing a rough old hand over hers.

The catering staff glided across the lawn with the large trays of canapés, pausing at each person or group while they played, what's this, with the server. As one arrived at the group with Brenda, Wally and the Dashers, Millicent approached, continuing her role as hostess.

"Try Pierre's olive and mushroom pastries," she recommended to the group. "He really is a master."

Geena stepped back from the group and answered her cell phone, snapping quick responses while Gary tilted her way, one ear larger than the other.

"Is that really necessary, Geena," Millicent scolded. "The business day for civilized people is over. I think we can do without the rude interruption of telephones, can't we? Do try those pastries." She smiled sweetly and bowed gracefully away, sailing on to the next cluster of guests.

"I don't bother with that crap," Wally ridiculed his neighbour. "People want me—they come to me." He nodded around the group and took a swallow of his drink.

"Civilization will suck if we don't keep on top of things," Gary complained, glaring at Wally and turning off his phone.

"It's only once in a while, Gary." Sophia laughed, leaning into him for emphasis. Wally slurped his drink and focused on Sophia's bust as she spoke. "You and Geena should stop and smell the roses once in a while."

"I'd like to smell those roses," Wally whispered to his side, unfortunately right into Sebastians face as the thunderous looking husband arrived at the gathering.

"You wanna say that again, Spade?"

"Huh?" Wally jumped back, an ingratiating grin splitting his face. "Seb, what?"

"Sebastian be a good boy." Sophia smiled charmingly, taking her husband's arm and steering him away from the others. "Don't make a scene, please. Let's just have a nice time."

"I warned you, stay away from that slime, Spade. And keep your tits out of people's faces." He snatched his arm away and walked off, tossing back a glare at a nervous Wally.