‘Oh well.’ She lies down again and turns her face to the wall. He stands up but does not walk away. He looks down at her. So she remembers every night: they have agreed, after many arguments, that she should sleep like this. During her first pregnancy, he kept saying after the third month or so that the sight of her tummy the last thing before he slept always gave him nightmares. Now he regrets all this. The bed creaks as he throws himself down by her.

‘James.’

‘Yes.’

‘There is something much more serious.’

‘You have heard about my newest affair?’

‘Yes, but that is not what I am referring to.’

‘Jesus, is it possible that there is anything more important than that?’

And as they laugh they know that something has happened. One of those things which, with luck, will keep them together for some time to come.

‘He teases me on top of everything.’

‘What else can one do to you but tease when you are in this state?’

‘James! How profane!’

‘It is your dirty mind which gave my statement its shocking meaning.’

‘Okay! But what shall I do?’

‘About what?’

‘Mercy. Listen, she is having an affair with Mensar-Arthur.’

‘Wonderful.’

She sits up and he sits up.

‘James, we must do something about it. It is very serious.’

‘Is that why you were crying?’

‘Of course.’

‘Why shouldn’t she?’

‘But it is wrong. And she is ruining herself.’

‘Since every other girl she knows has ruined herself prosperously, why shouldn’t she? Just forget for once that you are a teacher. Or at least, remember she is not your pupil.’

‘I don’t like your answers.’

‘What would you like me to say? Every morning her friends who don’t earn any more than she does wear new dresses, shoes, wigs and what-have-you to work. What would you have her do?’

‘The fact that other girls do it does not mean that Mercy should do it too.’

‘You are being very silly. If I were Mercy, I am sure that’s exactly what I would do. And you know I mean it too.’

James is cruel. He is terrible and mean. Connie breaks into fresh tears and James comforts her. There is one point he must drive home though.

‘In fact, encourage her. He may be able to intercede with the Ministry for you so that after the baby is born they will not transfer you from here for some time.’

‘James, you want me to use my sister!’

‘She is using herself, remember.’

‘James, you are wicked.’

‘And maybe he would even agree to get us a new car from abroad. I shall pay for everything. That would be better than paying a fortune for that old thing I was thinking of buying. Think of that.’

‘You will ride in it alone.’

‘Well . . .’