Back inside, the three headed to the sitting room. Sharna realised that she had been asleep for a few hours, she had probably missed out on lunch.

Myra smiled at Sharna as she entered, she looked calmer, like she had had time to process what Sharna had divulged earlier.

Gogo let go of Sharna and ran ahead to give the two guests sitting with Myra and Anna a significant look as she said, “I found them, they were having a real heart to heart outside.”

“That is just so interesting, Link, we would love to hear all about that,” the younger of the women in the sitting room had straightened and smirked at Link, who appeared to be studying the ceiling with fascination, trying to appear unaware of the group's sudden interest in him.

The older woman stood and came forward to meet them, smiling at Sharna, “just ignore them. I'm so pleased to meet you, my dear, I'm Deidre and this is my daughter, Laynie.” She gestured at the woman who was still watching Link with a mischievous expression. “Myra was showing me your plans for my poor dress, she said that you're a very talented young lady.”

Sharna shook her hand, warmed by Deidre's kind greeting. “I'm Sharna, I'm pleased to meet you too. It’s such a beautiful dress, I’m so happy to be working on it, I'm afraid that Myra is just being kind in letting me help though.”

Deidre turned and looked at Myra, “she's just as delightful as you said.” She turned back to look at Link, smiling with amusement, “and it appears that you've already charmed my son.”

The tips of Link’s ears reddened again, and Sharna felt her face becoming hot, “not at all, we were just talking..”

Deidre patted her arm, “don't worry, I'm just teasing Link, he's always had an eye for a pretty woman.”

“You've never looked at me twice, Link,” Gogo pouted.

“She said a pretty woman, not a kooky, overgrown child,” Link replied sweetly, having regained his composure.

Gogo lunged to hit Link but he dodged away, hiding behind his mother.

Sharna started giggling, she couldn't help herself, they were both so childish. Link and Gogo grinned back at her, then they heard a gasp from across the room and everyone turned to face the other guest.

Sharna was surprised to see Laynie looking at her with tears running down her face. Deidre rushed over and crouched in front of her, chafing her hands gently, “what's the matter, honey?”

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“I'm sorry,” Laynie said, trying to rub away her tears with her hands, but they continued to fall. Anna silently rose and handed her a box of tissues. Laynie grabbed a handful from the box and blew her nose loudly. “I'm sorry.”

Deidre looked more concerned, “what is it, Laynie?”

“I'm sorry,” Laynie looked at Sharna again, “I wasn't expecting this, you look exactly like your mother. I didn’t know you were here and when you laughed..” she started crying again.

“I'm sorry,” Sharna said, holding her hands towards Laynie helplessly, at a loss for what was expected of her. She turned to look at Link, who shrugged sympathetically.

Laynie flapped one hand at her in response, the other wiping her face with her ball of tissues, “it's not your fault”.

“She’s right,” Deidre said, half turning to Sharna, while patting Laynie’s knee gently, “it's not your fault, Laynie was very surprised to hear that you were Myra's new apprentice. She was friends with your mother at school.”

Rising, Deidre patted Laynie's knee and sat beside her on the couch, Laynie leaned in to be held by her mother. She was beginning to sound less distressed.

“We’ve actually met before you know,” said Deidre conversationally, looking at Sharna kindly as she stroked Laynie's hair. “Laynie and I went to visit Jade a few times at The Pillars after you were born.” She smiled wistfully, “you were just delicious, and Jade adored showing you off. But she was so weak that we couldn't visit often.”

Sharna froze in place, she found that she suddenly had tears welling up behind her eyes and silently running down her face. She felt Link move in protectively and pat her back.

Gogo looked at him curiously, Deidre approvingly, Sharna filed both reactions away to think about later. Watching Link, Gogo took Sharna slightly possessively by the arm, and guided her away to sit in an armchair, perching herself on the armrest. Sharna sat stiffly while Gogo draped an arm over her shoulder.

Anna reached over and patted Sharna’s hand, and passed her the box of tissues. Laynie smiled at Sharna wetly, “I'm sorry, I didn't want to even bring this up with you today, I wanted to take some time so I could be more composed.”

“It's fine, I don't even know why I'm crying,” Sharna grabbed a tissue from Anna and angrily wiped her eyes. “It's so stupid, I'm so emotional today.”

“You have been through a massive ordeal recently.” Myra said sternly, “it's only been a month since your grandmother died, of course your emotions will be in turmoil. Also, have you even met anyone before that knew your mother, that wasn't Evelyn or your horrible family?”

“Yes, of course I have, some of my grandmother's friends, some of our staff..”

“But none of your mother’s friends?” Myra pressed.

“I never thought about it. I wouldn't have known how to start finding them anyway without my grandmother. I've only ever talked about her with my grandmother.” Sharna said thoughtfully.

“That would give you a very narrow view of who she was as a person,” Deidre interjected, “my children are very different people with their friends than they are with me.” She gave Laynie's head a final pat and stood, “I think that it would be a good idea if you got to know each other better, Laynie was devastated when your mother died, but perhaps you should settle in here a little more first.”

“Mum, I'm old enough to make my own plans,” Laynie groused, “but she's right, Sharna. Maybe we could talk another time?”

“I’d like that,” said Sharna, suddenly shy,and relieved that she had finally stopped crying. Laynie smiled at her.

“Right,” said Deidre resolutely, clapping her hands together, “let’s get out of here. Lovely to meet you Sharna, love the changes to my dress, we’ll see you again soon.”

“See you soon,” Laynie said.

“Me too,” added Link, smiling warmly at Sharna.

Myra walked them out and Sharna sunk further into her chair. “So, Link huh?” Gogo asked, eyebrows raised.

“You are such a pain!” Sharna said, playfully pushing her. Gogo nearly fell off the chair, while Anna watched on, shaking her head at them both.