I eased out the door, took my hat and coat, and waited for Cleo in the entrance hall. She came flying down a few moments later in a coat and tam and we set out.
It was a hard, brilliant day, flooded with sunshine. But the wind was gusting strongly, whipping our coats, tingling our cheeks. Cleo took my arm, and I looked nervously at passersby, watching for signs of amusement when they saw this tall, willowy woman with her runty escort.
But no one gave us a glance, and after a while I stopped 442
caring what people might think.
'I brought the kite home,' I told Cleo. 'And the string and winder.'
'Sure we will,' I said.
We hung coats and hats on the rack just inside the door of Woody's. We waited a moment, and then Nitchy came towards us from the back dining room.
'Cleo,' I said, 'I'd like you to meet Nitchy, a good friend. Nitchy, meet Cleo.'
The two women shook hands. Nitchy looked up searchingly at Cleo's face. Then she turned to me, smiling.
'At last!' she said.
443
Table of Contents
velvet