It was the first time he had actually been out with his sister since the day they had all gone to Arnham’s house, and Christine and Fee had been with them then. Not since before his father’s death had he and Cheryl gone out alone. It was Saturday evening and he was on his way to Tarsus Street. It was somehow harder to tell a mother who never asked questions that you wouldn’t be back till the following evening than if she probed and pried. But he had told her, in a casual way, and she had given him her innocent, unsuspecting smile. “Have a nice time, dear.” Soon it would all be out in the open. Once he was engaged there would be no problem about saying he would be staying overnight at Senta’s. He was getting into the car when Cheryl came running out and asked for a lift. “I’m going down the Edgware Road, that way.” “Go on, make a detour and take me to Golders Green.” It would be a hefty detour but he agreed; he was curious. There was something disquieting in the idea that while she had a secret from him, he also had one from her.
