Of all the Italian restaurants in the city, she had to pick this one.
'Hello Agatha. Hekkity.'
It sounded strange to say the same name to the woman standing in front of her to the woman sitting opposite her, perhaps she could convince herself that both women's names had a difference cadence. She made polite small talk, hoping to shield Hecate from her sister's barbs and her ex-girlfriend's recollections. Annoyingly, Miss Broomhead rarely forgot a face and name.
Agatha looked amused as she weighed up her sister's date. Young and pretty. How did she manage to get someone like that?
Hecate realised this was the woman that Constance had seen before. She prayed to no one in particular that her former teacher hadn't recognised her but luck was not on her side. Just a minute before, her hand was inching a little closer to Ada's and now she had snatched it back, tucked it away. She could feel her reserve creeping back in like a mist, shrouding her in her usual frost.
'My goodness, it is, isn't it? Hecate Hardbroom. You were a student of mine' exclaimed Miss Broomhead. 'How is your cousin doing? I've heard she's a marvellous teacher. I taught her all I know so I'm rather proud.'
For the second time that week, Hecate needed the ground to open up. She felt awkward and caught out, like she'd done something wrong. She answered politely, giving away no unnecessary detail. She observed that Agatha's delighted smirk seemed to wary Ada and she stiffened in annoyance.
'Cradle snatching, Ada? Not your usual method.'
'That's rich coming from you.'
They all stared at her Ada for her uncharacteristic rudeness.
'Oh you're not still going on about the postman are you?'
Agatha had a bit of a reputation for ruining innocent men. Ada was pretty sure she'd been a few young men's gateway to manhood. Ada had enjoyed her flirtation with the postman, back when she was a shy and virginal teenager but Agatha had made sure to stomp all over that and it became a matter of course that Ada would conceal who she was interested in, lest her sister take over.
'I would appreciate it if you minded your own business. I'm busy right now. If you want to have a chat, ring me tomorrow.'
'Well good on you for finding yourself some hot young piece of skirt. It's about time.'
Hecate blushed and looked down which spurred on Agatha's leer.
'I would appreciate it you didn't refer to my friend like that' said Ada firmly. 'If you're going to be crude, do it well away from us.'
'Come, Agatha. Let's leave them to it. Nice to see you dear' said Miss Broomhead and pulled her away. Hecate marvelled at what a changed person her old teacher was.
Ada apologised profusely for her sister.
'So what happened with the postman?'
Ada sighed, wary of the story and amused that Hecate seemed interested.
'I flirted with him, Agatha took him for a ride and that was that. She has a habit of butting in.'
'I see.'
Hecate looked partly fascinated and sorry for such a trial. She decided that they should get away.
Ada raised her eyebrows at the suggestion. Nodded and asked for the bill.