Chapter 31

Dona Amélia, as always, displayed elegance and firmness. After putting on her glasses and organizing her thoughts, she decided it was time to clarify certain situations that had been bothering her. She called her friend Clara with her usual cordiality, but her tone made it clear that the conversation would be direct.

"Clara, dear, how are you? We need to see each other. By the way, will Cecília be around?" she asked, with calculated subtlety.

As soon as she received confirmation, Don