Page 53 (1/2)

“A fortune!” Pandy crowed

“Don’t go buying a private plane, okay?” Henry said with his usual sarcasm

His phone rang “Yes?” he said He smiled wickedly “Hold on, I’ll find out”

“Well?” Pandy asked expectantly

“A young lady from the press She wants to interview you”

“About the asped

“About your upco fortieth birthday”

“But that’s not for four months!”

“Shall I tell her to call back in four ne?” Henry asked teasingly

“Nah I’ll take it,” Pandy replied “I justto be afraid of—and certainly not age” She took the receiver from Henry “Hello?”

“Oh, yes Hi,” she said broadly, tossing her hat onto Henry’s Le Corbusier chaise She fluffed her hair “Yes, it certainly is aabout it at all, but it’s not for four months” Pandy winked at Henry anda piece of paper from one of his manuscripts, she wrote: Milestone One syllable away fronificance? She passed the missive to Henry, who smiled

Pandy nodded her head “Well, sure I understand Your boss wants it now God knows, I’ve been in that position myself How can I help you?”

She sht I have never been married, and I do not have children And I’ children? Certainly not” She looked at Henry, who gave her a sharp frown and a quick shake of his head

Pandy changed her tone “I mean, of course children are wonderful Who wouldn’t love having an adorable mini version of oneself under one’s feet all the time? But I really believe that if children a

rechildren may not be part of lue factory yet” Clutching the phone to her ear, shemotion in front of Henry