Chapter 13

The Huntsberger house is transformed, and the huge adjoining dining room and family room have been emptied through the day and are now styled. With floral arrangements and seating, which pours out into the gardens from the wall of veranda doors. It looks like a huge function room in any classy hotel.

Leila has always insisted on using “home” for her parties. I think it’s a little sentimentality and that this place signifies safety and happy memories for her. It also means strictly no paparazzi for any of the more well-known guests, and we can monitor who gets to come in and let everyone relax to have an enjoyable time.

Food is being laid out in the adjoining TV room, music is blaring from the sound system outside, and a huge marquee housing a bar and extended lounging area is set up. I can see a wooden floor for dancing inside and here. They have gone big and bold for this one, the place is bursting with friends and family galore, and even though it’s early in the evenin