The Lily-White Boys Read Online Free Page B

Their former engagement was, after all, ancient history, and both marriages seemed happy enough.
    Deliberately combating that embarrassment, Monica studied Harry as he stood with his head bent attentively to her sister. Unlike Justin, whose hair was now steel grey, and George, with his rapidly fading thatch, Harry’s was still dark, and if his jawline had thickened over the years, it served only to give him a more authoritative air. All in all, the years had been kind to him and he was still a very attractive man. Small wonder that Eloise, who thrived on masculine attention, liked to keep him around her.
    Dinner was announced, and served as always by one of the trio of caterers. Two young men and a girl, they worked democratically, taking it in turns to cook, wash up and wait at table. This evening it was the darker man, immaculate in white dinner jacket. Monica noted drily that Primrose’s eyes fluttered towards him more than once.
    Justin, on her right at the head of the table, claimed her attention. ‘How was Court this afternoon?’ He was a fellow magistrate and occasionally they sat on the same bench.
    â€˜Pretty run-of-the-mill. At least we’re spared football hooligans, now the season’s over.’ She smiled. ‘Actually, being a JP does have its advantages. I unashamedly pulled strings this evening in an attempt to get an old van removed from our doorway.’
    Justin paused, his fork half way to his mouth. ‘Really? Who does it belong to?’
    â€˜I wish I knew. It broke down in the middle of the night and no one’s collected it yet. I’m hoping Sergeant Penrose will do the necessary.’
    â€˜Perhaps it was deliberately dumped,’ George suggested.
    â€˜I don’t think so. I heard it arrive, coughing and spluttering. The driver tried several times to restart it.’
    â€˜Well, if it was only last night, you haven’t given him long to get organized.’
    â€˜True. I probably wouldn’t have made such a fuss if it hadn’t been so unsightly.’
    Jeremy, on her left, turned towards her. ‘What is it you’ve been making a fuss about, ma tante?
    â€˜A dirty van outside our house.’
    Her mother took up the story. ‘Yes, it’s perfectly disgraceful. I don’t know what our neighbours must think. Monica heard it arrive during the night – she was afraid it might have wakened me, but these new sleeping pills proved their worth, I’m glad to say.’
    Theo, on his grandmother’s far side, leaned round her. ‘A dirty van sullying North Park Drive? The very idea! Have it towed away at once!’
    â€˜I’m trying to,’ Monica said evenly, regretting by now that she had broached the subject.
    â€˜Hasn’t it got a name on the side?’ George again.
    â€˜Obviously not, or I’d have contacted whoever’s responsible. It’s simply a dirty green van with some kind of rack on the roof.’
    There was a moment of complete silence, which for some reason made her uncomfortable. Perhaps it was her tone of voice which had surprised them. She said with a forced laugh, ‘I know this is a fascinating topic of conversation, but can we move on to something else?’
    There was a brief, uncertain pause. Then Claudia said valiantly, ‘I hope you’re all coming to the Private View next week?’
    â€˜What is it this time?’
    After a shaky start general conversation resumed and Monica felt herself relax. She looked up to find George watching her and, catching her eye, he gave her an encouraging smile. Dear George, she thought, smiling back; he’d forgiven her her snappy rejoinder. She felt a rush of warmth for him, mingled as usual with an indeterminate sense of guilt. Pushing both aside, she directed her attention to her cooling meal.
    The van was still there when they arrived home, the light from the street lamp waking no reflections in its grimy surface. Monica