I thought it was just fascinating in the moonlight."
Jacqueline nodded.
"Yes, lovely night... A real honeymoon night."
Her eyes went to the Bridge table - rested a moment on Linnet Doyle.
The boy came in answer to the bell.
Jacqueline ordered a double gin.
As she gave the order Simon Doyle shot a quick glance at her. A faint line of anxiety showed between his eyebrows.
His wife said,
"Simon, we're waiting for you to call."
Jacqueline hummed a little tune to herself.
When the drink came, she picked it up, said,
"Well, here's to crime," drank it off and ordered another.
Again Simon looked across from the Bridge table.
His calls became slightly absent-minded. His partner, Pennington, took him to task.
Jacqueline began to hum again, at first under her breath, then louder:
"He was her man and he did her wrong."
"Sorry," said Simon to Pennington. "Stupid of me not to return your lead.
That gives 'em rubber."
Linnet rose to her feet.
"I'm sleepy.
I think I'll go to bed."
"About time to turn in," said Colonel Race.
"I'm with you," agreed Pennington.
"Coming, Simon?"
Doyle said slowly:
"Not just yet.
I think I'll have a drink first."
Linnet nodded and went out.
Race followed her.
Pennington finished his drink and then followed suit.
Cornelia began to gather up her embroidery.
"Don't go to bed, Miss Robson," said Jacqueline. "Please don't.
I feel like making a night of it.
Don't desert me."
Cornelia sat down again.
"We girls must stick together," said Jacqueline.
She threw back her head and laughed - a shrill laugh without merriment.
The second drink came.
"Have something," said Jacqueline.
"No, thank you very much," replied Cornelia.
Jacqueline tilted back her chair.
She hummed now loudly:
"He was her man and he did her wrong..."
Mr Fanthorp turned a page of
'Europe from Within'.
Simon Doyle picked up a magazine.
"Really, I think I'll go to bed," said Cornelia. "It's getting very late."
"You can't go to bed yet," Jacqueline declared. "I forbid you to.
Tell me all about yourself."
"Well - I don't know. There isn't much to tell," Cornelia faltered. "I've just lived at home, and I haven't been around much.