A Modest Proposal [open to Sasha and Mortimer]
Alison had never been a particularly sneaky person. Oh, she tried from time to time to surprise people, but she hadn't the patience for much long-term planning of presents and delights. The fact she'd managed to keep mum about Sunday night's dinner plans for more than a day was a great testament to her determination.
Sasha was particularly difficult to surprise, being as she is a mistress of secrets. Adding to that complication the necessity of involving other people, and Ali was quite convinced Sasha already knew. But she was determined to play things out until the end. So she arranged a suitable dinner (suitable, that is, for all involved, with a particularly interesting octopus and jello salad for Sasha), set the table quite precisely with the best china, dressed in the beautiful white cheongsam with purple orchids Sasha had recently given her, and put on Gershwin.
The only thing left to do now was wait for her loved ones to come down for dinner, and hope the spiders don't mention the box hidden in an unused soup tureen.
Sasha was particularly difficult to surprise, being as she is a mistress of secrets. Adding to that complication the necessity of involving other people, and Ali was quite convinced Sasha already knew. But she was determined to play things out until the end. So she arranged a suitable dinner (suitable, that is, for all involved, with a particularly interesting octopus and jello salad for Sasha), set the table quite precisely with the best china, dressed in the beautiful white cheongsam with purple orchids Sasha had recently given her, and put on Gershwin.
The only thing left to do now was wait for her loved ones to come down for dinner, and hope the spiders don't mention the box hidden in an unused soup tureen.