I took the nourishing cream out and put it back in the mirrored cupboard, it wasn’t pleasant to kiss. I brushed my hair back from my face, thinking I looked younger at night, relaxed, unless it was the soft lights in the bathroom, the flattering neckline of my dressing gown.
The hand cream was green matching the tiles. Small things like that gave pleasure, Diana had been at it, the top was sticky.
“Liz!”
“Coming.”
Tim had put down his book and was lying with his arms behind his head watching me.
I turned off the radiator and opened the window automatically then shut it again quickly.
“You let the fog in.”
“I forgot. I hate sleeping with the window shut.”
“It’s better than breathing in all that muck.”
The bedside clock showed 12.20. I got into bed beside Tim.
“Blast!” I said.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve forgotten something.”
He put his arms round me pulling me into his side of the bed which was warm. “Don’t worry I’ll get it later.”
“How much later?”
“Much, much later.”
“We have to get up in the morning. I don’t know why Martha and Jack stay so late. They never go to bed before one.”
“Don’t let’s talk about Martha and Jack.”
Tim took off the nightdress I’d only just put on. I looked at the ceiling, zephyr, just a trace of pink echoing the rose of the carpet. I wouldn’t ring Dobbie, not in the morning, any time, it wasn’t going to solve anything.
I thought that tomorrow we might have veal for a change. Martha had given me a recipe with red peppers.
About the Author
Rosemary Friedman has published 21 novels – which have been widely translated and serialised by the BBC – three works of non-fiction and two children’s books. Her short stories have been syndicated worldwide and she has judged many literary prizes. She has written and commissioned screenplays and television scripts in the UK and the US. Her stage plays Home Truths, Change of Heart and An Eligible Man toured major UK venues following their London premières. She lives in London with her husband, psychiatrist and author Dennis Friedman.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
ALSO ON EBOOK BY ARCADIA BOOKS
AN ELIGIBLE MAN
THE FRATERNITY
THE GENERAL PRACTICE
GOLDEN BOY
INTENSIVE CARE
THE LIFE SITUATION
THE LONG HOT SUMMER
LOVE ON MY LIST
A LOVING MISTRESS
NO WHITE COAT
PATIENTS OF A SAINT
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
PROOFS OF AFFECTION
A SECOND WIFE
TO LIVE IN PEACE
VINTAGE
WE ALL FALL DOWN
Copyright
Arcadia Books Ltd
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London W10 6PH
www.arcadiabooks.co.uk
First published in 2001 by House of Stratus
This Ebook edition published by Arcadia Books 2013
Copyright © Rosemary Friedman 1964, 2001, 2013
Rosemary Friedman has asserted her moral right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publishers.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978–1–910050–07–1
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