Queen Never Cry novel · Chapter 15 of 32

Chapter 15: Seven Candles

The invitation came to Hester on Friday afternoon, on thick paper with a gold seal.

It named her as the holder of the Founders' seat, and invited the family to the seventh birthday of Posy Roarke.

It was signed in blue ink by the Chairman of the Corrigan board.

"He cannot keep a founder out of a founder's granddaughter's party," Hester said, pleased. "It's in the bylaws."

"Desmond will hate it."

"Naturally. Bring a gift."

By Saturday afternoon the Roarke house on Sheridan Road held sixty guests, thirty children, and a bouncy castle on the lawn.

Pink balloons roped the iron gates.

A woman in a rabbit costume juggled in the hall.

I came in on Hester's arm in a plain black dress, with a paper bag in my other hand.

Desmond saw me from across the foyer.

He had a drink in his fist, and his smile tightened a notch.

He did not come over.

Behind him, a group of five stood slightly apart from the parents, in dark suits no parent would wear to a child's party.

Four men and a silver-haired woman, all holding sparkling water.

"Halvorsen Capital," Hester murmured. "They buy supermarket chains."

I'd read the name in Garret's folder.

Posy ran at me from the garden door in a pink dress and a paper tiara.

"Mama!"

I scooped her up, and she was heavier than she had been a week ago, or I was stronger.

"Happy birthday, my love."

"I'm seven!"

"Almost. You've got a few hours."

She wriggled to look in the bag.

"What is it?"

I took out a card, folded once.

On the front I had drawn seven candles in red pencil, a little crooked.

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