I’m not Mrs. Torrance,” Gemma said coolly, and wondered how she could be so composed. “Then engaged to be. Or—” A guilty clap to her mouth and a small girl look. “I am awful,” Deborah Stockley apologized. Vida had followed her friend across the lawn. “Gemma, this is Deborah Stockley. I spoke about Deb, remember? Deb, this is Bruce’s fiancée, Gemma Glasson. The reason for tonight’s festivities.” Vida tried to sound gay, but she still looked stunned. “Of course. What a fool I am! I thought I’d seen Miss Glasson before. I thought I’d seen her with Mr. Torrance at the Alice Springs Hotel. Now that I take a second look I can see it’s only a resemblance. Will you please forgive me, dear?” “Yes,” Gemma murmured. Vida, still smarting, asked vindictively: “But you did see Tim Torrance?” “I certainly did. And in a decidedly compromising situation.
