SILK WICKEDNESS 20

The thought of tomorrow’s trip didn’t cheer her at all. With her father there, Anoushka would be sulky and uncommunicative, and after this afternoon Guy would doubtless be tense and impatient, and she would be stuck between the pair of them, trying desperately to dilute the atmosphere.

A barrel of laughs, in other words.

She went to bed very early and very bored, and couldn’t sleep.

Why did I ever come? Ryan and his wretched kissograms would almost he better than this. At least I know that particular devil.

And talking of devils, why had Guy’s wife left him? Why did wives leave their husbands?

Was he knocking her about?

Highly unlikely.

Playing around?

Possible.

Down the pub with his mates every night?

Not the type.

Maybe he had a horrendously possessive mother who drove her round the bend.

Not the type to stand for it. He hasn't mentioned a mother, anyway. Or a father, come to that.

What, then?

While she was trying to answer this, the phone rang. Oh, help. What if it was Guy, saying