They were greeted by an elderly lady, around Emma’s age, Sophie guessed, but there the resemblance ended. Unlike her friend, whose innate sweetness Sophie learned to appreciate, the woman in front of her had a hard, scrutinizing look.

”Is she here?” she finally asked James.

James didn’t have time to answer, because Emma appeared on the threshold and stared at Sophie.

”Sophie, is it really you?”

“Yes, that's me under all these layers!” Sophie ...