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grumpily.
    “It’s out of the question that you should be there as a guest without a dinner partner.”
    “I’m not exactly a guest .”
    “There’s a gifted architect who works at your father’s firm,” Louisa continued, ignoring her daughter’s remark. “I met him recently. A really nice young man.”
    Julie gave her mother a look that needed no words.
    Louisa raised her hands in a gesture of appeasement. “It’s only because I care about your future, my dear.”
    “My future’s looking fine.”
    “Really?” Louisa raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “At your age, Joanna had already been in a promising relationship with Maximilian for ages. As far as I know, you haven’t got your eye on a single man.”
    Julie clenched her jaw in irritation. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her older sister with all her heart. But Jo had always sought to abide by their mother’s wishes, even when she didn’t share her opinion. Julie had never understood why Jo hadn’t put her foot down about pursuing her own ideas—at least when things came to a head. When they were younger, Jo had always dreamed of traveling around Australia. But instead she had fulfilled her parents’ wishes and gone to business school. Now she worked part-time for their father’s company—when she was not stuck at home as a housewife and mother in their fine middle-class house, where she was becoming more like their mother every day. At least on the outside.
    Julie had to admit that Jo’s husband, Maximilian, and son, Luke, were both lovely. Max seemed to be a good man, and the fact that he was also a successful businessman who satisfied their parents’ aspirations was ultimately not his fault.
    “So shall I invite that young man?” pressed Louisa. “He really is quite charming. You know you can trust my judgment in these matters.”
    Julie was not so sure about that. But since she couldn’t think of anyone who could accompany her in his place, she merely shrugged. “I’ll think about it,” she said finally, in the hope of winning a little time.
    Watching her mother drum her ruby-red fingernails on her handbag, Julie sensed that Louisa was gradually losing patience with her.
    “As for this afternoon,” Louisa said sharply, “will you do me this small favor?”
    Julie gave another resigned sigh. “OK.”
    Without a word of thanks, Louisa began rummaging in her handbag. “All the items are currently being loaded up and taken to a warehouse that has enough space for taking photos.” She handed Julie the key and a scrap of paper with the address. “I’ve already informed the agency that you’ll be there. Mr. Colbert will expect you at two.”
    “Then it’s a good thing I’ve agreed to do it,” muttered Julie.
    “Pardon?”
    “Nothing.”
    “So we’re all set.” Louisa zipped up her handbag energetically. “Seeing as you’ll be there already, would you be so kind as to put together a few details about the items for the agency to work with?”
    She knew from experience that any further argument with her mother would be futile, so Julie didn’t bother to reply.
    Louisa stood up, finally satisfied. “I have to go now. Your father’s gift table still needs some work.” Louisa marched toward the door without a backward glance. In the entry, she presented her cheek to Julie and accepted a brief farewell kiss. “I’ll see you on Sunday for coffee at three sharp.”
    “As you do every week.”
    “Don’t be late.”
    Following her mother’s departure with a sullen gaze, Julie leaned against her door. If only she’d stayed in bed.
    She returned to the living room and fell wearily onto the sofa. She had hardly caught her breath when the phone rang. Cursing, she heaved herself up again. The display showed Jo’s number.
    “Morning,” Julie muttered into the receiver.
    “Hi, Sis. I just wanted to warn you, the matriarch’s on her way over to see you.” Julie detected a clattering in the background and guessed that Jo