'Did you like the book?'

'Very much so' came the reply.

Hecate had rung the doorbell and asked for some kibble for her cat to tide her over for a day. Ada gladly let her in to fill a tub. Hecate seemed awkward asking her but she relaxed a little when Pendell decided that he wanted her to cuddle him like a baby. Ada came back to find him in Hecate's arms with a butter wouldn't melt expression on his sly face. She invited her to sit and brought some tea. They stayed there for a while.

'I enjoyed the reaction. The others really got into it without judging about Red and Blue being two women or that there wasn't much explanation about the worlds they inhabited. Some people can get caught up in the technical details that can take too much time to debate on.'

'Technical details are important. They set the story. Fiction does have to be somewhat believable' said Hecate stiffly.

Ada glanced at her.

'I was thinking of Ursula' she said apologetically. They recalled the time where Ursula had insisted that the setting of a book couldn't be in a particular decade because a particular type of car hadn't existed yet.

'Maybe she'll try some new genres for her romance novels and not just the noble chaste heroines that she usually goes for' suggested Ada.

A strange giggle snort erupted from her guest. Hecate was looking down at her cup of tea but there was a definite smirk there.

'I'm not going to read into that nor repeat it' said Ada firmly. She didn't think that Hecate would be a gossip but it was good to see that she did have a sense of humour. She'd been keeping that secret.

'I think Dimity might come up with a naughtier book for her next choice. One to make Dardanelle blush. Or give Ursula some ideas.'

Hecate smirked again.

'Here I go again, thinking of giving Ursula ideas and putting images in our heads that don't need to be there. Sorry.'

'You engage with her with patience and that's not a skill everyone has. I appreciate your candour.'

'She can be a bit much. It must be so tiring being her. Maybe that's her maternal defensiveness kicking in. She doesn't know how to change her approach even if she recognises that she needs to.'

'You always see the good in everyone' said Hecate somewhat reprovingly.

'I try. Sometimes I need a reminder. Some people you think are the worst, aren't really, your energies just clash.'

Hecate contemplated her words.

'Sometimes it means that you need to rein it in because they won't. Which is the most annoying thing of all. The lack of reciprocity. Sometimes I'd like to throw in an inappropriate book just to get a reaction from them. Maybe Pendell and I are more alike than I would like to admit. A bit of mischief once in a while makes me feel energised.'

Hecate recalled some of the times that Ada had gently challenged Ursula. She'd done it at the last meeting.

'I've come across some dreadful books, inappropriate wise. I'm sure Dimity would love them' said Hecate dryly.

'You should nudge them in her direction and see if she presents them to the club.' Ada laughed. 'That woman never feels the need to be someone she isn't and I like her for that' said Ada firmly. 'I support her right to read stupid books even if I think it's a waste of trees.'

'Hmmmm.'

Hecate wasn't impressed with such liberties.