I’m the before and after.”

I said that could not be right, that Odile would never, that she just wanted her sister beside her.

And Bea said, “Okay,” in the tone that means the conversation is over, and went back in.

I have asked Odile about this since.

She says it is not true.

She says she put Bea at the head table because Bea is her sister and because she was terrified Bea would not come at all.

I believe her.