A rumble of laughter from the group.
Alice leans back on her seat as Tish continues to praise Gina. She doesn’t even bother pretending like Gina isn’t a shoo-in.
And why would she? The Dewar women have always run the ASC. And this is not a town that likes to break with tradition. Alice remembers the very first time she saw the women’s name displayed on silver plaques on the brownstone’s entrance.
Hildegard Dewar 1921–1954
Lillian Dewar 1954-1989
Letitia Dewar 1989—
The dates make reference to the years the Dewar women served as president of the club. It was one of the very first things about Alma that had seemed seriously off to Alice—wasn’t anyone else freaked out by the fact that these dates looked so much like life stamps? As though the women’s lives could be summed up by one thing: the ASC. But, as usual, she is the only one who finds it disconcerting. Everyone else sees it as wholesome and charming.
Alice looks at Gina again. Her sister-in-law has relaxed and is now smiling in a modest, yet undeniably proud sort of way. The entire room is beaming in her direction.
This is an unfortunate development. Nick’s words echo in her mind: People follow the wife’s lead. Alice would prefer Gina to be upset right now. A selfish impulse, but Alice does not feel guilty. It’s not her fault Bobby decided to have an affair with an employee.
It occurs to Alice that the timing of Tish’s resignation is not a coincidence: she is giving the women in this town something else to talk about, shifting the conversation away from the allegations made against Bobby. In this town, being the ASC’s president is like being queen. Gina’s election will only help garner more support for Bobby.
Alice is angry, but only for a second. Tish might think she has the upper hand, but all she’s really done is show her hand. It all clicks into place: the only reason why Tish would step down, making way for Gina, is to help Bobby. To keep him from resigning. Except why should Tish have a problem with Nick taking over as CEO? Everyone knows he’s her favorite. There can only be one reason: Tish has figured out that if Nick takes over, he’ll sell Alma Boots. And then Nick and Alice will kiss this creepy town goodbye.
Alice hears a buzzing sound coming from her purse. She dips her hand inside, tilting her phone’s screen in her direction. A text from Nick.
What time are you taking Allegra to the park?
The park! Alice has forgotten all about it. She shuts her eyes for a moment, feeling frustrated with her faulty memory.
Sorry, I can’t. Last-minute ASC business.
Nick’s reply is nearly instant.
You promised her.
Alice sighs. She can hear the judgment in Nick’s words—and she resents it tremendously.
He isn’t wrong: Alice had promised to take Allegra to see the ducks at Hildegard Park after the ASC meeting. In fact, she’d been looking forward to it. But then Eva’s video came out this morning and Alice had been so excited that she took two oxy to celebrate. Alice isn’t worried about her intake—she has it under control. But the one precaution she does take is never driving with Allegra in the car after she’s had a pill. It’s too risky. If anything were to happen to Allegra, Alice wouldn’t be able to live with herself.
But maybe they could walk to the park? No, it’s too far away. Perhaps Malaika could drive them in Alice’s car. But Malaika would also have to stay there with them—Hildegard Park is beautiful, but it’s also enormous and filled with potential dangers: from drowning in the pond to insect bites to an accident in the treehouse. Alice doesn’t trust herself to keep Allegra safe, not after two pills.
Alice feels the familiar feeling of inadequacy simmering in her stomach. Motherhood has given Alice the ability to love without bounds—and to worry twice as much. Sometimes it feels like the world is one giant booby trap designed to highlight Alice’s incompetence as a mother. Would it be different if she hadn’t been unmothered herself? Would she be more confident in her parenting skills?
I’m sure Malaika will be happy to do it.
Alice decides to call Malaika as soon as the meeting is over. Unlike Alice, Malaika is great with Allegra. She’s a natural with children. Alice is certain that Malaika grew up with a wonderful mother.
It’s Malaika’s day off.
Alice lets out a frustrated sigh. How does Nick even know that? It’s not like he oversees Malaika’s schedule. Frankly, it’s insulting, this micromanaging of her routine.
I’ll figure it out. What’s Jessie’s take on the video?
This time, Nick doesn’t respond. Alice is happy she’s reminded him to call Jessie. The Morrigan has been officially hired to investigate Eva’s claim. Alice can’t wait to see what Jessie and her team will uncover.
“Is there any new business?” Tish is asking the group.
Alice is about to tuck her phone back inside her bag when a new message pops up. She smiles when she sees the name: Antoinette Saison. That was fast. Alice had texted the new neighbor right after the video came out, in a burst of inspiration. Probably from the oxy.
Well, the oxy and Tish.
Last night, Tish had called to remind Alice that she would be expected to update the ASC on the new neighbors. When Alice confessed they still hadn’t met, Tish nearly had a fit. “I called to remind you the day before they arrived! How could you forget?”
And so Alice had walked over to Antoinette’s house holding a white ceramic plate filled with brownies that Yolanda had magically whipped up in less than thirty minutes. (Alice suspects they came from a box—not that she cares.) She had been planning on spending
