No pretence to him at all. But the producer is very much out of his element. Daddy's been struck dumb with awe, and Mummy, who doesn't approve of them, is being frostily formal and polite. As the only others in there are Mummy's cousin Cecily, who hasn't been here for twenty-five years and keeps asking after people who are dead, and her idiot husband, who does nothing but grin inanely and say 'Jolly good,' the atmosphere is rather sticky. I've been doing my best to keep the conversational ball rolling. You can take over.'

'Oh, gosh, Gerry, it sounds frightfully grim.'

'It is. But to someone who's climbed Everest—'

'The Matterhorn.'

'—it will be child's play. So come on.'

 

* * *

 

Ten minutes later Gerry, driving her beloved Hispano Suisa towards the village, drew up by a lone figure, kit-bag over his shoulder, who was trudging along the road.

She leant over and opened the passenger door.

'Hop in.'

Hugh looked at her. 'Why?'

'I'll give you a lift to the station. There's a train to London in about ten minutes. You'll never catch it otherwise.'

He hesitated, then threw his kit-bag into the back and got in next to her. She drove on. He said, 'I won't be able to catch that train, anyway. I've got to stop at the garage about my bike.'

'I'll see to that.'

'No, thank you.'

'Well, there's not another train to town today.'

'Then I'll have to stay till tomorrow. I suppose there's a pub where I can get a room.'

'There's the Rose & Crown, but I doubt if they'll give you a room.'

'Why on earth not?'

'It's a highly respectable house. And they're very particular about who they take in. Of course, I could come and put in a good word for you.'

'Very funny.'

'Look, as it seems you've got to stay overnight in the area, why not come to the house? You needn't see Paul, or any of the guests. We'll put you up in the servants' quarters, if you like. You can eat with them and everything. I don't suppose they'll mind.'

'Again, no thanks.'

'Why, Hugh? What's the matter?'

'I don't like being made a fool of. Inviting me at the same time as Carter, without telling me, when you know how I feel about him?'

'I didn't tell him you were coming, either.'

'That makes things no better.'

Gerry was silent for a moment. She said, 'You're quite right. It was thoughtless. I'm sorry.'

He looked at her in surprise. 'My word, that must have taken some effort.'

'Don't rub it in.'

'Why did you do it, Gerry? You must have known we'd both be annoyed.'

'Paul's not annoyed.'

'Want to bet? He just doesn't show his feelings.'

'A trait you might well try to emulate.'

'Why?'

'It's a sign of good breeding.'

Hugh gave a snort. 'That's just the sort of talk that repels me about all your class.'

'In that case I can't think why you accepted the invitation in the first place.'

'Because I thought you wanted me here.'

'I did. I do.'

'But why? Why now - with Carter and all those other people? You must have realised I wouldn't exactly be the brightest company.'

'I - I wanted you to meet Rex Ransom.'

'What? You thought I'd want to meet that prancing purveyor of mindless mush!'

'There's not only him. There's Arlington Gilbert.'

'Who is Arlington Gilbert?'

'A writer. A creative person, like you.'

'Never heard of him. What's he write?'

'Film scripts mainly, I think.'

'For Ransom, I suppose?' Gerry didn't answer.