Now Julia spoke: 'Andrew, it will not be a good thing to ask her to give up her work.'
'I have no intention of doing that, Grandmother.'
‘And you will be such a long way off. '
‘We'll manage somehow, ' he said, and went to open the door for Rosemary, who was bringing in the soup.
By mutual consent, the champagne was not opened. They ate their soup. The next course was delayed, but Rosemary said it would spoil, and so they ate it, while Andrew listened for the doorbell or for the telephone. Then at last the telephone did ring, and Andrew went into another part of the flat to talk to Sophie.
The two women sat on, united by foreboding.
Julia spoke, ' Perhaps Sophie is a young woman who needs unhappiness.'
‘But I am hoping Andrew doesn't. '
'And then there is the question of children.'
' Grandchildren, Julia. ' Frances spoke lightly, and did not know that Julia was smiling because she could smell freshly washed baby's hair, and that close to her seemed to be the ghost of – who? a young creature, a girl perhaps.
‘Yes,’ said Julia. ' Grandchildren. I see Andrew as someone who would like children. '
Andrew, returning, heard this. ‘I would, very much. But Sophie sends apologies. She is... held up. ' He was on the verge of tears.
‘Well, has he locked her up?' enquired his mother.
' He applies – pressure, ' he said.
This was all awful, as bad as it could be, and they knew it.
He said brokenly, and sounded like a valediction, 'I can't imagine going on without Sophie. She's been so...’And now he really was breaking down. He rushed out of the room.
' It won't happen,’ said Frances.
‘I hope not. '
‘I think we should go home. '
‘Wait until he comes back. '
It was a good half hour before he came back, and the young people in the room through the glass wall invited the guests who were sitting alone to come and join them. Julia and Frances were pleased to do this. They might, they felt, easily break down themselves.
By now there were half a dozen young men and a couple of girls, one being Rosemary. She knew that a disaster – major? minor? – had occurred, and was being tactful, making conversation. A charming young woman, thought Julia: pretty, clever – certainly a good cook. She was in law, like Andrew. Surely they would be just right for each other?
The young men and women were talking about what they had done during the long summer holidays: they were all still at university. It sounded as if between them they had visited most of the countries of the world. They talked about how things were in Nicaragua, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Finland, Kenya. They had all had a thoroughly good time, but they had also been in search ofinformation, were serious travellers. Frances was thinking how well they contrasted with what had gone on in Julia's house ten or more years ago. These people seemed much happier – was that the word to use? She looked back on strain, difficulty, on damaged creatures. Not these. Well, of course these were older... but even so. Julia would say, of course, that these were none of them war children: the shadows ofwar were a long way behind them.
This half hour, which could have been agreeable, was spoiled by the worry over Andrew, who came in briefly to say that he had ordered a taxi for them. They must forgive him. From the way the others looked at him, surprised, the women could see that they were not used to debonair Andrew in disorder. In the street, he kissed them, a hug for Julia, a hug for Frances. He held the door of the taxi for them but he was not thinking about them. At once he went running back up the stairs.
'I wonder if these young ones know how fortunate they are?’ said Julia.
'Certainly much luckier than either of us.'
' Poor Frances, you didn't have much chance of running about the world. '
' Then poor Julia, too. '
Feeling kindly towards each other, they finished their journey in silence.
' It won't happen, Frances, ' was Julia's last word.
‘No, I know it won't. '
' So we mustn't lie awake all night worrying about it. '
Sitting by herself in the kitchen at the table which was half the size, these days, Frances drank tea, and hoped that Colin might drop in. Sylvia hardly ever did. No longer a junior, but a proper doctor, she did not instantly fall asleep as she sat down, but she worked very hard, and the room on the landing across from Frances's room scarcely saw her. She might come for a bath and a change of clothes, or sometimes for the night, she might or might not run up to embrace Julia, but that was it. So it was Colin of all 'the kids' Frances saw these days.
She knew nothing about his life outside this house. One day a disreputable fellow with a big black mongrel dog rang the bell and enquired for Colin, who came running down to make an arrangement to meet on the Heath. At once Frances began worrying, was Colin a homosexual, then? Unlikely, surely? – but she was already at work on honing the appropriately correct attitudes, if he was, when a wan girl appeared, and then another, only to be told that he was out. But if he is not here, then why isn't he with me? – Frances knew they were thinking, because she would be, in their place. These incidents were hints at Colin's life. He roamed the Heath at all hours with Vicious, talked to people on benches, made friends with other dog-owners, sometimes went to a pub. Julia who had said to him, 'Colin, it is not healthy for a young man to have no sex life,' had been rebuked with, 'But, Grandmother, I have a dark and dangerous secret life, full of mad romantic encounters, so please don't worry about me. '
Tonight he came in, as always with the little dog, saw Frances, and said, ‘I’ll make myself a cup. ' The dog jumped up on the table.
‘Do get that little nuisance down. '
‘Oh, Vicious, did you hear that?' He picked up the dog, and took it to a chair, told it to stay, and it did, wagging its tail and watching them with black inquisitive eyes.
‘I know you want to talk about Andrew, ' he said, sitting down with his tea.
‘Of course. It would be a disaster. '
' Can't have disasters in this family. ' His smile informed his mother that he was in combat mood. She braced herself, thinking that she could say anything at all to Andrew, but with Colin there was always an apprehensive moment while she waited to find out what mood he was in. She almost said, ' Forget it – another time' – but he was going on. ' Julia's been at me too. What do you expect me to do? Say, Do not be foolish, Andrew, do not be reckless, Sophie? The point is, she needs Andrew to get free of Roland.'
Here he waited, smiling. He was now a large bulky man, with curly black hair, and black-rimmed spectacles that gave him a studious air. He was always ready to go on the attack, because for one thing he was still partly dependent financially. Julia had said to Frances, ' Better for me to give him an allowance than you – psychologically better.' She was right, but it was his mother he took it out on. Frances waited too. Battle was about to commence.
'If you want a crystal ball, then you should consult dear Phyllida downstairs, but using my vast knowledge of human nature – the TLS says I have it – then I'd say she will stay with Andrew just long enough to let Roland cool off, and then she'll leave Andrew for someone else.'