She phoned to say she'd be held up, a committee or something, she'll be back about half-past six. And John is staying on for a lecture. Terry is down at Tony Barnham's and Elsie-had to go to the dentist's, and so I thought, tea for two before the fire. Isn't it lovely? And look'--she pointed" --I've done a plate of toast, all dripping with butter, soggy. " She wrinkled up her nose. "Sit down. There's your slippers. I'll just make the tea. " As she dashed out of the room he looked after and and shook his head slowly; then he sat down on the couch and put on his slippers. From the hate-filled meeting of an hour ago to this. And would he ever have this again, tea before the fire, just him and Gail? As he turned towards the door and watched her coming in, her face bright, the teapot held out like a sacrifice, he thought. Oh my God! What'll it do to her when she knows? and of a sudden it became imperative that she shouldn't know, that all this messy business concerning himself and his father- in-law should be hushed up; no price should be too high to pay for his daughter to continue seeing him in the light of 'a nice bloke'.
