SILK WICKEDNESS 37

One could hardly storm out and slam the door. She said, ‘Night, everybody,’ and smiled apologetically when her aunt said, ‘Going up already?’ She managed another smile when her uncle made a crack about the younger generation having no stamina, and escaped.

Room five at Weeping Ash Inn was half the size of her Muscat room but just as comfortable, in a rose-sprigged, English way.

Bloody Ryan! If only I could go home now.

It was out of the question. The do proper wasn’t until the following night, and she’d never, ever be forgiven.

Twenty minutes after she’d gone up, there was a tap at the door. ‘Claud, are you asleep?’

‘Yes, so shove off.’

He rattled the door anyway. ‘Claud, let me in.’

‘Bugger off!’

‘ If you don’t let me in, I’ll go and get a pass key. ’ He sounded positively injured. ‘I have every right to know why you want me willyless after I just gave you a sodding great cheque.’

‘I’ve earned a sodding great cheque, after what you put me through. Now get lost!’

The old, mischievous