I needed them. I felt tense and my nerves were so jumpy I was scared Vestal would notice something was wrong.The meal seemed to me to be interminable, and I had to force myself to eat.When we finally moved into the lounge for coffee, Vestal went to the window, pushed aside the curtains and peered out into the dark, rain-swept night."This is most tiresome," she said crossly. "We haven't had rain for weeks. This would happen just when I'm going out.""It always sounds worse indoors than it is," I said, sitting before the small log fire Hargis had lit to take the chill off the room. "It'll probably stop in a little while."“It's simply pouring. I don't think I'll go if it keeps up like this."Although I had been expecting her to say this, my heart skipped a beat.Hargis was pouring coffee. I realized how important it was that he should be able to report later that I hadn't pressed Vestal to go."I don't blame you," I said casually. "There's a good television programme on tonight. Why don't you call Mrs.
