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about Maddie? Is she here?”
    Julie turned around. “It’s her brother’s birthday party. Of course she’s going to be there. Why wouldn’t she be?”
    “She lives in Canada.”
    “She came back a few weeks ago and plans on staying. She’s finally left her husband.” Julie quickly added. “Didn’t you know?”
    Blue eyes narrowed as Jess said, “I would have, if you’d mentioned it. Now, please don’t tell me you were trying to match-make?”
    Julie swallowed nervously. “Well, you used to like her.”
    “I had a schoolgirl crush and her reputation leaves a lot to be desired. Are you sure it wasn’t her husband that left her?”
    Julie crossed her arms defensively. “Apparently she’s changed and now knows what she wants out of life.”
    “Who told you that? Her mother?”
    Julie turned toward the window again. Jess gripped her knee. “Oh Julie, that’s a bit desperate if you’re looking at Maddie as a girlfriend for me.”
    They all laughed except for Julie, who asked, “Have you heard of any encounters she’s had recently?” She looked around at all three them. Jess couldn’t answer. Rose and Mark shook their heads. “See, a changed woman.”
    Jess shook her head. “All right, a changed woman since she’s discovered she prefers women to men. It’s good of you Julie, but I think I’ll give her a miss or at least, a lot more time.”
    Julie conceded. “Well maybe that was a little desperate, I just want…”
    Jess smiled reassuringly. “I’m perfectly happy. I wish you’d quit worrying yourself. You’re getting worse.”
    “No. I just care.”
    ***
     
    The bar was heaving and the dancing was in full flow. Strip the Willow was one dance Jess always loved to watch. It was rare that someone didn’t get tangled up and confused in those turns. As usual there were more men in skirts than there were women. The two Macleod tartans were the most common on show tonight, but there was still a good variation of tartans swaying about. It always amused Jess that when the men wore their kilts they tended to strut like proud peacocks. She clapped with a little difficulty as the dance ended and spotted Julie approaching. She linked her arm through Jess’s and looked up at her. “Hi you.”
    Jess politely excused herself from the woman who was fawning over her and turned to Julie, mouthing “Thanks,” as she was guided toward a couple of empty chairs.
    “Are you enjoying yourself?” Julie asked as they both sat down.
    “Not too bad. How about you?”
    “I’m getting too old, or I’m too married, for this sort of thing. Everyone appears to be divorced or unhappy and on the prowl for a potential fling.”
    They both laughed. “That could be a slight exaggeration Jules, but I have to say I know what you mean. Predators would be a good word.” They laughed again.
    “Do you think we’ve all reached the age for a midlife crisis? Maybe I should see if I’ve still got it.”
    Again they laughed and Jess said, “We’re finding an awful lot funny this evening.”
    Julie leaned forward conspiratorially. “I think that could have something to do with the alcohol.”
    Shuffling her seat toward Julie, Jess asked, “You reckon?” Then frowned. “This chair’s a bit wobbly.”
    This time their laughter was uncontrollable until two large glasses of red wine appeared. The waitress indicated to a woman a few tables away, who dipped her head, looking directly at Jess and produced an incredibly seductive smile. Jess nodded their thanks without returning a smile of any kind.
    Julie leaned on Jess’s knees for support. “Is that nodding some sort of code and why didn’t you smile back?”
    Jess grinned at her friend. “Don’t start me off again. It’s just a power thing.”
    She looked at Jess quizzically. “I didn’t think you were into that sort of thing?”
    “Not me, those two.” She looked toward the woman at the bar and then the source of the drinks. “I haven’t had to buy a drink all