“So could I see she had. She said she had a headache and has gone home. She smiled as she went out. I don’t like to think I made anyone smile like that.”

“What rot! She’ll get over it.”

Gladys put on a kettle to make the evening tea.

“I wonder. It’s not a thing you’ll ever know anything about.”

“Why not? You’ve no idea how much I love Richard Trent. Sometimes I can’t go to sleep for thinking about him.”

“Love!” It was only one word, but it dismissed all Sheilas and her like.

Sheila wriggled.

“All right, sour-puss, but it’s no good going on like this just because Janet looks cross. What did you think she was going to be? I hope you aren’t going to get in a flap about Barbara. After all, we made a bargain, and you can’t say I haven’t done my share.”

Gladys gave her shoulders a shake as if throwing off her discomfort.

“No, of course not. I’m behaving like an idiot.” Her face lit up. “I asked him to marry me, and he won’t understand why Janet’s stand-offish. His feelings are sure to be hurt.” She gave a sudden radiant smile. “With any luck at all I’ve got a real chance now.”

Section 17

“Janet’s in bed,” said Sheila. “She’s got a bilious attack.” Gladys had a look inside her oven.

“I do wish Donald wouldn’t ask important people to meals in wartime, and on a Sunday, too. I never know if the meat we get will roast properly.” She looked at Sheila. “What’s the matter with you? Have you got a bilious attack too?”

Sheila was sorry for herself.

“I couldn’t sleep for thinking how I can get out of going tomorrow.”

Gladys’ eyes opened.

“Do you mean to say you haven’t fixed that yet? What’s the good of all this planning about Dick if you’ve got to go?”

“I’m not going. It’s only I haven’t thought how I’m not. I can always be ill if the worst comes to the worst. I don’t want to be, though, as my bedroom’s hot in this weather.”

“But your mother will send for Dr. Nelson. He’ll have to send a certificate or something to N.A.A.F.I. You can’t fool a doctor.”

“Oh, yes, I can. I look ill awfully easily. If the worst comes to the worst, I’ll take castor-oil. It always makes me sick, and he’ll think it’s food poisoning.”

“Well, you can’t do that every day.”

“No, but I could twice, and with convalescence it will keep me here for quite a long time: I can easily see it does until Richard Trent gets leave.”

“Funny the way you call him Richard Trent.”