‘My dear, if I don’t know that you’re a loyal friend, who does?’
Dolly slipped off her shoes and settled down massively in her chair.
Julia never took her eyes off her.
‘You know how malicious people are.
You’ve always led such a quiet, regular life.
You’ve gone out so little, and then only with Michael or Charles Tamerley.
He’s different; of course everyone knows he’s adored you for ages.
It seems so funny that all of a sudden you should run around all over the place with a clerk in the firm that does your accounts.’
‘He isn’t exactly that.
His father has bought him a share in the firm and he’s a junior partner.’
‘Yes, he gets four hundred a year.’
‘How d’you know?’ asked Julia quickly.
This time she was certain that Dolly was disconcerted.
‘You persuaded me to go to his firm about my income-tax.
One of the head partners told me.
It seems a little strange that on that he should be able to have a flat, dress the way he does and take people to night clubs.’
‘For all I know his father may make him an allowance.’
‘His father’s a solicitor in the North of London.
You know very well that if he’s bought him a partnership he isn’t making him an allowance as well.’
‘Surely you don’t imagine that I’m keeping him,’ said Julia, with a ringing laugh.
‘I don’t imagine anything, darling.
Other people do.’
Julia liked neither the words Dolly spoke nor the way she said them.
But she gave no sign of her uneasiness.
‘It’s too absurd.
He’s Roger’s friend much more than mine.
Of course I’ve been about with him.
I felt I was getting too set.
I’m tired of just going to the theatre and taking care of myself.
It’s no life.
After all if I don’t enjoy myself a little now I never shall.
I’m getting on, you know, Dolly, it’s no good denying it.
You know what Michael is; of course he’s sweet, but he is a bore.’
‘No more a bore than he’s ever been,’ said Dolly acidly.
‘I should have thought I was the last person anyone would dream would have an affair with a boy twenty years younger than myself.’
‘Twenty-five,’ corrected Dolly.
‘I should have thought so too.
Unfortunately he’s not very discreet.’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Well, he’s told Avice Crichton that he’ll get her a part in your next play.’
‘Who the devil is Avice Crichton?’
‘Oh, she’s a young actress I know.
She’s as pretty as a picture.’
‘He’s only a silly kid.
I suppose he thinks he can get round Michael.
You know what Michael is with his little bits.’
‘He says he can get you to do anything he wants.
He says you just eat out of his hand.’
It was lucky for Julia that she was a good actress.
For a second her heart stood still.