“Are you here for the Bernstein event?”
“Just me,” said Una.
“The party’s on the boat at the end of the dock. You can’t miss it.”
Kristofer drove on, whistling when the luxury motor yacht came into sight. Spotlights illuminated its modern lines and sleek prow. Guests in tuxedos and sparkling dresses followed the red carpet to the boarding platform. Music blared from the boat’s top deck.
“It’s the James Bond song,” said Kristofer. “I hope I don’t lose you to a handsome spy with a British accent.”
“I wouldn’t worry. You know I don’t like martinis.”
Kristofer laughed, kissed her, and whispered, “Have a good time, my sweet.”
Una looked at the boat, which was shaped like a sharpnose shark, and knew she might never step onto dry land again.
“I love you,” she told Kristofer. She kissed him tenderly on the mouth and held his face in her hands for several heartbeats.
“Ég elska þig líka. I love you, too,” he said as she got out of the car.
She stood in the parking lot and watched him drive away. Then she took a deep breath and stepped onto the dock.
Jill was standing next to the boarding platform, waiting for her.
She looked so grown-up in her white satin dress with a ruffled skirt and sleeves. She’d woven ribbons into the tiny braids framing her face and wore glittery eyeshadow. Her lipswere slick with berry-colored gloss. For a moment, Una felt she was looking at a brown-eyed Svana.
“You’re beautiful,” Una told her.
“You, too,” said Jill.
Una glanced up at the boat. “Where’s Charles?”
“His mom’s making him hand out spy gadgets for the scavenger hunt. I told him I’d get you and bring you back to where he is.” She patted her dress. “This has pockets. I’ve got sharp things in both of them. Charles has stuff, too.”
“Good. Remember, Charles will be busy with his guests, so it’s up to you and me to watch Mrs. Smith.”
Jill’s fingers brushed the skirt of her dress. “I know.”
Steeling herself for the night to come, Una walked up the boarding platform and under a black-and-gold balloon arch.
A crew member in a starched white shirt and navy slacks helped Una step from the platform to the teak deck.
“Welcome aboard,” he said. “The main party is on this deck. You’ll find the bar in the front of the boat and the buffet and dance floor in the back. If you’re looking for a place to sit, there’s seating on deck two. The very top deck is for crew members only. Have a great time!”
Una followed Jill down a narrow corridor to a set of double doors that opened up to a large carpeted space. Buffet tables had been arranged in a U shape, and guests were already filling their plates. Waiters circulated the room, offering champagne to the adults and soda to the kids. The room was noisy and warm, and most of the seating had already been claimed by old men in yarmulkes. The old women had formed a circle around Charles. Their braying laughter and tooth-baring grins reminded Una of a pack of hyenas.
Charles waved at Una, and the old women grudgingly departed to give her access to the guest of honor.
“You did it,” she said, giving Charles a hug.
“I thought the ceremony would be the hard part. Let’s see if I can survive all this,” he joked, waving an arm around to incorporate the guests, the hedonistic display of food, and the James Bond–themed decorations.
“Isshehere?” asked Jill.
Charles pointed at the ceiling. “She’s upstairs, talking to some people from our temple. My mom introduced her to everyone like she was her new best friend. Even my dad thinks she’s great. None of the adults will believe us if we tell them she’s dangerous.”
The champagne Una had just swallowed burned in her throat.
“I was too nervous to eat lunch, so I’m starving. Should we get some food?” Charles asked.
