“It’s better in London,” she said. “Everything’s better in Lon­don. I’ve never been so happy anywhere.” She sighed and looked around the room. “I know this is an awful dump, but I love it, even that damned shilling-in-the-slot gas-meter. We’re in London, that’s all that really matters. I’ll walk out of here this morning and I’ll be in London. Did I tell you I used to have a Tube map on my bedroom wall when I was at College?”

“Never,” I said. “I never dreamed you liked London.”

“I’ve told you a thousand times,” she said. “It was a rhetorical question.” Her voice grew dreamy. “Sloane Square, Victoria, St. James’s, Westminster, Charing Cross, Temple . . . Joe, if we get that flat in Hampstead, I want to think about having babies quite soon.”

“When I fix myself up with a job,” I said

“We’ll have two – no, three. One more—” She stopped. “I’m sorry. That’s bitchy. And unlucky.”

“Don’t worry,” I said. “You can have four if you like. We’ll name them after Tube stations.”

She suddenly jerked her head away.

“Darling, no. I can’t believe it.”

She put on her skirt.

“What can’t you believe?”

She flung over my dressing-gown. I took hold of her wrist.

“Your appointment’s not until eleven,” I said.

“I must call at the office first.” She helped me into the dressing-gown and tied the belt.

“Don’t bother. Tell them you had to have another parting kiss.”

She giggled; then as I touched her knee the look of pleasure came back to her face. She pushed my hand away and went to the door.

“No,” she said, the look still there. “No, I’ll see you at Poppins at lunchtime. You have a rest, darling.”

She opened the door.

“Don’t worry about sending Susan’s car back. I’ve just had an idea. Tony’s going to Leddersford next week. Couldn’t he take it back?”

“Tony?”

“He works with me. He’s quite sober and reliable for a jour­nalist. His people live in Leddersford. Would that be all right, do you think?”

“I suppose so,” I said indifferently. I went towards her.

“Not again,” she said. “Stay there, you old goat.”

I kissed her; for a moment her body went lax in my arms, then she freed herself.

“I’ll scream,” she said. “You know I’m late.”

I looked at her glowing face.

“Everyone will be able to tell why you’re late,” I said.

“I don’t care,” she said. “Joe, will you remember something?”

“I’ve always something to remember when I’ve been with you,” I said.

“I can run to three babies if you really want them,” she said. “That’d be one more than her, wouldn’t it?”

She closed the door. I heard her running down the hall.