CHAPTER FOUR
Around three o’clock on Friday afternoon I told Tim I was
going down to Ward’s in Charing Cross Road to get a few
spare Gnome bulbs.
After I got the bulbs, I went to Moss Bros, and hired an
evening dress suit. I had cashed Bill’s cheque so I had the necessary money and the transaction went off without a hitch.
I was also given a suit-case to take the suit, shirt and
accessories, and I took it to Charing Cross Station and lodged it with the Left Luggage Office.
Don’t think I was happy about this deception. I wasn’t,
but I couldn’t bring myself to tell Ann that Gloria had invited me to a party, and I wasn’t taking her with me.
This would be the first time since we had married that I
was going out without her; and worse, going out with another
woman. I kept telling myself that it was a business date; that it was a chance in a lifetime.
I assured myself that I would be a reckless fool to have refused Gloria’s invitation, but I knew I was doing the wrong thing by not insisting that Ann should
come with me. But the idea of telling her that Gloria had
invited me to her flat after Ann had actually asked me if Gloria had been the cause of our misunderstanding, was beyond me.
I knew I couldn’t have looked her in the face if I told her.
Besides, I knew she wouldn’t go: she couldn’t go. She hadn’t
an evening dress. I took the easy way out by deciding not to
tell her.
Saturday was fine, after a week of solid rain. During the
afternoon, Ann made preparations for supper and spent some time pressing her only decent dress. She was getting a big bang out of going to the movies with Bill and me.
We hadn’t been to the movies for six months, and it made me feel pretty bad to see her excitement, knowing I wasn’t going with them.
She had made a rabbit pie for supper: Bill’s favourite
dish, and around seven she came into the sitting-room to
announce everything was ready.
She looked bright-eyed and pretty in her simple dress,
and looking up at her as she stood before me for my approval, I felt a pang of conscience that dug right into my guts.
“You look terrific, Ann.” I got up and walked around her.
“Who says I haven’t married a beautiful girl?”
“Do I look all right?” She held out her arms and I kssed
her. “Everything’s ready. I hope Bill won’t be late.”
“It’s ten to. He’ll be along. Trust Bill. He won’t miss the
rabbit pie.”
“Who’s talking about rabbit pie?” Bill asked from the
doorway.
He had got on his best blue suit, and his red face was
freshly shaved. As he came into the room, he held out a big
bunch of clove pinks with an embarrassed smirk.
“Here you are, Ann. I don’t suppose they’ll last long. I
bent down one of the Spivs at the conner.”
To see the way Ann’s face lit up as she took the flowers
made me feel a little sick. I was in two minds not to go to
Gloria’s place. I had never seen Ann looking prettier. Even Bill, who never noticed things like that, had something to say about her.
“You know, Harry, you’ve married a lovely girl. First time I’ve noticed it.”
Ann laughed.
“You be quiet, Bill. That’s not a bit complimentary. Come
on and eat. We don’t want to be late.”
We sat down at the table at a few minutes to seven. Any
moment now, Gloria would ring, and the phone call would start
a train of lies that night to go on and on, and have no stopping.
The thought spoilt my appetite and made me ashamed of
myself.
Bill was too busy with his pie to notice, but Ann was
quick to see something was wrong.
She smiled at me a little uncertainly.
“All right, Harry?”
“Fine.” I gave her a fixed grin. “This is terrific. Isn’t it, Bill?”
“It’s all right. If ever I marry, I’ll make my wife learn how to make this but I bet she won’t be able to make it so well as Ann does.”
Then the telephone bell rang.
Ann half started up.
“It’s all right. I’ll take it,” I said, and jumped for the door. I was in such a panic to head Ann off that I upset my chair and knocked my knife and fork on the floor.
As I opened the door, I saw surprise on Bill’s face while
Ann sat rigid, her eyes suddenly anxious.
I went down the stairs to the office and lifted the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Well, you told me to ring, Harry, and I’ve rung.”
The sound of that husky voice sent a tingle up my spine.
“Thanks.” I was whispering into the mouthpiece. “I’ll be
along just after eight.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you. Everything all right?”
Again we were conspirators.
“Yes. Good bye for now.”
“Good-bye, Harry.”
Slowly I replaced the receiver. I stood by the desk for
some moments. I didn’t have to lie to Ann. I could go up and
tell her that Gloria had phoned and had asked me to her flat to
meet this man. I could tell her about the agency. But I knew I
couldn’t face her and Bill, knowing there was more to it than meeting this man.
I went to the office door and looked down the length of
the dark garage. I tried to screw up my courage to go upstairs and get it over.
“Harry? What is it?”
“Old Lewis. He’s broken down again. I’ll have to go,
Ann.”
The words came out of my mouth without me thinking.
“Oh, Harry! You can’t go tonight.”
I went slowly up the stairs.
“I’m sorry, darling, but that’s the way it is,” I said and
moving forward, I put my arm around her, pulling her against
me so I shouldn’t have to meet her eyes. “I’ve got to go. I’ve
too few clients to let one down.”
“What’s up?” Bill asked, getting up from the table.
“A breakdown out at Edgware. I’ve got to go. He’s an old
customer. Now look, you take Ann to the movie. I’ll get back
as fast as I can.”
“Must you go, Harry? Damn it! Can’t he get fixed up
somewhere else?” Bill asked. “Edgware’s a hell of a way.”
“He could get fixed up somewhere else, but if he does, I shan’t see him again. He’s my best customer, Bill. I’ve got to go.”
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