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“You look well, Natalie,” she said as we shared some gin and tonics in the living room, seated across from each other on the twin damask couches. A G&T with a slice of lime was her choice of drink, and though I much preferred a glass of wine, I decided to go with the flow. She took a sip of the ice-filled cocktail. “How’s everything between you and Matthew?”
Marjorie only called her middle child by his full name and never once called me Nat.
“Everything’s wonderful,” I said, setting my tall glass down on the coffee table between us. Marjorie had seen me at my lowest following the death of Anabel, and had come to stay at the house to take care of the kids while I lay in my bed like a decaying vegetable. She had no idea of what had really happened. Anabel’s tragic accident was only part of it.
“And how are the children?”
Marjorie adored Will and Paige, and for that I was grateful. Loving grandparents were something I never had and, along with Matt’s two other siblings, they gave the kids a sense of family, which was important to me.
“They’re well. Paige is in the process of applying to college and Will is immersed in all kinds of cyber stuff I don’t understand.”
“Where is Paige considering applying?” My mother-in-law had a special fondness for Paige. Maybe because they resembled each other, though her hair was now silver gray and styled in a short chic bob. They also shared many of the same interests, the top one being their passion for art.
“As I’m sure you know, she really wants to go to the Rhode Island School of Design, but Matt’s insistent that she apply to Stanford early decision.”
My mother-in-law made a dismissive face. “Not everyone needs to go to Stanford like Matthew and his father to make their mark on the world. Paige should go wherever she pleases; success is a by-product of happiness. And she’s young. Before I leave for La Jolla in the morning, I’m going to have a word with Matthew.”
I flashed her a small grateful smile. “I’d appreciate that. Maybe he’ll listen to you.”
Just as I was about to change the subject, a charming voice entered the room.
“Hi, Natalie. I didn’t see you in the kitchen and thought I heard voices coming from here.”
Tanya. Marjorie’s eyes following mine, I gazed in her direction.
“Oh, hello, dear!” Seeing her always brightened my day and I was pleased her sprained ankle had healed quickly. Over the week we’d grown closer, and she’d continued to be such an asset in helping me put together the gala, now only a few weeks away. With the event so close, I was glad Marjorie was going back to her hotel after dinner. I had too much to do and my opinionated mother-in-law would only get in the way.
Her lips pursing, Marjorie scrutinized Tanya. “Natalie, might this be the British exchange student from London you’ve been telling me about? I was hoping to meet her.”
“Yes, it is.” Smiling, I motioned her to join us. “Tanya, come here. I’d like to introduce you to my mother-in-law, Marjorie Merritt… Paige and Will’s grandma,” I added as she strutted our way. “Marjorie, this is Tanya Blackstone.”
Tanya extended her hand and my mother-in-law stood to shake it. “Hello.” The frost in her voice could make someone shiver. And freeze over the space between them.
“Should I be giving you a hug?” asked Tanya.
“A handshake will suffice.”
As if our exchange student had the plague, Marjorie broke free of Tanya’s grip and sat back down. Smoothing her gray flannel slacks, she crossed one ankle over the other, drawing attention to the classic Ferragamo flats she always wore. She must have had a pair in every color.
“Come. Please join us,” I told Tanya, patting the plump cushion to my left.
“I’d love to,” she said, plonking down next to me and dropping her backpack by her feet. She eyed the tall glasses in our hands. “What are you drinking?”
“Gin and tonics.” And no, you can’t have one.
Thankfully, she didn’t ask me to make her a drink or get her a glass of wine in front of my hypercritical mother-in-law, and instead studied her.
“Marjorie—”
“It’s Mrs. Merritt to you.” My mother-in-law’s haughtiness made me bristle, but Tanya seemed unperturbed and obliged.
“Of course, Mrs. Merritt. I just want to say I love the color of your sweater. And your pearls are stunning.”
Marjorie glanced down at her salmon cashmere crewneck, which was offset by a strand of South Sea pearls, a diamond-clasped family heirloom that was worth over a hundred thousand dollars. One day, she wanted Paige to have them.
“Thank you,” she said, her focus returning to Tanya. “So, Tanya, where do you live in London? My husband and I have spent a great deal of time there. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world.”
“Mine too! Papa and I live in Belgravia.”
