"I didn't mean to discourage you from inviting him if you like," Juliana added, picking up a slight note of ... something in her sister-in-law's response. Disappointment, maybe? Resignation? She wasn't sure what it was or how to interpret it, but was worried that she might have inadvertently said something to offend. "He's welcome to come. I just don't think he would find the event very enjoyable, for his own sake," she said with a shrug.

She took a sip of tea and decided it might be best to change the subject. "How are the children?" she asked, thinking this was likely a rather safe subject. Every mother loved talking about their children, she imagined, and Jules never tired of hearing about her nieces or nephew. Her guess proved correct, and the conversation progressed quite pleasantly until it was time for Rosie to head home once more.