This apprehension occurred in a rush so that Stephen barely had time to take in the names of the new arrivals. Hamish and Lucy were the youngsters, Bruce and Carolyn their parents. The mother looked tired. The father was wearing orangey corduroys which were deeply ridged at the ankles, but had worn smooth over the knees and groin. Bruce and Nick made guttural, semi-animal noises at each other by way of greeting, instead of words. From this Stephen guessed that they were better friends than their wives. The history teacher looked on, a fixed smile on his face. Stephen at once felt sorry for the girl, Lucy, because she was younger than everyone else. Not so much younger as to be a pet, only young enough to feel awkward. She reminded him of Hazel, the older of his own sisters. She had the same look, half timid, but with a little hint of determination about her mouth.

At the table Stephen found himself seated between her and Helena. Nick at the head closest to them had the history teacher’s wife on his right and Carolyn to his left; their husbands sat on either side of Celia at the far end. Hamish was in between the Clarke sisters. Stephen tried to draw the younger girl out, but she answered only in monosyllables and did not return a question. Helena joined in, papering over the cracks by laughing a lot and saying ‘Exactly!’ at almost every word Lucy uttered.

As soon as the eggs were finished, cigarettes were lit.

‘We always go in for inter-course smoking in this house: no waiting till after we’ve eaten,’ Celia announced, to mild laughter.

‘She always makes that joke,’ Helena whispered. Stephen responded with a smile, while straining to overhear bits of what Nick was saying to the history teacher’s wife.

‘… I’m a very sensual person myself, that’s why I can recognize it in you …’

‘… I’d love to know when you were born, because I’m guessing that you’d have your moon in Virgo …’

‘There’s a secret creek not far away, I could show you if you like …’

If Nick had been single, Stephen would have been impressed at a bloke flirting so openly. Although getting into horoscopes was a bit corny, even for a teenager; leave alone a man of Nick’s age. As it was, he felt a deep embarrassment. What if his daughters heard him? He didn’t seem to have a thought for that. He was a married man, a dad.