“Tony, are you a tiny bit tight?”
“Stinking.
Jock and I'll come and see you.”
“Tony, you're not to.
D'you hear?
I can't have you making a brawl.
The flats are getting a bad name anyhow.”
“Their name'll be mud when Jock and I come.”
“Tony, listen, will you please not come, not tonight.
Be a good boy and stay at the club.
Will you please not?”
“Shan't be long.”
He rang off.
“Oh God,” said Brenda.
“This isn't the least like Tony.
Ring up Brat's and get on to Jock.
He'll have more sense.”
“That was Brenda.”
“So I gathered.”
“She's at the flat.
I said that we'll go round.”
“Splendid.
Haven't seen her for weeks.
Very fond of Brenda.”
“So am I.
Grand girl.”
“Grand girl.”
“A lady on the telephone for you, Mr. Grant-Menzies.”
“Who?”
“She didn't give a name.”
“All right.
I'll come.”
Brenda said to him,
“Jock, what have you been doing to my husband.”
“He's a bit tight, that's all.”
“He's roaring.
Look here he threatens to come round.
I simply can't face him tonight in that mood, I'm tired out.
You understand, don't you?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“So, will you, please, keep him away.
Are you tight too?”
“A little bit.”
“Oh dear, can I trust you?”
“I'll try.” .
“Well, it doesn't sound too good.
Goodbye.” … John, you've got to go.
Those hooligans may turn up at any moment.
Have you got your taxi fare?
You'll find some change in my bag.”