Love, Nina Read Online Free PDF Page B

supper Betsy kept saying, “Beautiful, beautiful” (about the roast chicken).
    MK: Aren’t we due a break from mashed potatoes?
    Betsy: No, Mary-Kay—it’s all lovely, really beautiful. I love carrots done this way ( boiled in sugary water with cornflour added at the end, then sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley ).
    Will had his carrots raw, but even he admitted the cooked ones looked good.
    Betsy’s pudding cake was very nice. Sam almost choked on a bit of tinfoil she’d accidentally left on it. But apart from that, it was really delicious (American style, homemade).
    Karel and Betsy are proof that nice people don’t have to be embarrassing. I was just thinking that (aren’t they nice etc.) and I was feeling pleased with Betsy’s appreciation of the supper (esp. after the turkey burger snub), when Betsy accidentally ruined it…well, her and MK.
    Suddenly, Betsy said, “You know, Mary-Kay, you should have someone come in and clean, it’d really make a difference.”
    â€œYeah, I know,” said MK.
    â€œI think Carmelita could come over, I’m sure she could use the extra cash, I’ll ask her,” said Betsy.
    â€œGreat,” said MK.
    The thing is, I think I’m supposed to do it (the cleaning). Well, a bit. I only don’t do it because MK isn’t bothered—if she had said something I’d have hoovered up or something (though to be honest I’ve never seen a hoover anywhere). MK never mentions the mess or seems to care. She washes up and tidies up etc. and the boys fill and empty the dishwasher. I just do the cat bowl.
    Anyway, I think it’s settled (about the cleaner starting). I feel that guilty/annoyed mix.
    Love, Nina
    *  *  *
    February
    Dear Vic,
    OK, I know Jonathan Miller isn’t an opera singer. I told you a while ago, it was a misunderstanding. I knew he had something to do with opera (people were always saying, “Have you heard Jonathan’s Rigoletto ?” to each other) and he’s got a very deep voice. I just put two and two together. Anyway, I know he’s not. He’s a doctor (a writer-doctor and opera-director).
    Mary-Kay has started hanging around with a friend called Susannah. She’s very nice.
    S&W like her a lot. I suppose she seems really nice compared with me and MK because she’s so nice-mannered and not sarcastic, and she’s pretty.
    But…she wears this startling eye makeup, even S&W have commented…thick black eyeliner— under the eye. The liquid type that only professionals can (or should) do. I was on the brink of saying something about it to MK (like it’s a shame Susannah spoils her nice face with all that black on her eyes) but thought I’d better not—seeing as they’re such good friends. Plus it would’ve sounded like I meant something else.
    Then—fucking Ada—last night MK came downstairs ready to go out and was all done up the same! She looks even worse than Susannah. Susannah sort of pulls it off. Somehow it goes with the whole of her. But it’s all wrong on MK. I wish I’d said something earlier. Too late now.
    I was v. pleased to get a Valentine card—it said, “Baby I dig you.” I don’t know who sent it but it was posted in this area. So I know it wasn’t you.
    Also, I sent one to Tom Miller (JM’s son) who’s very nice and handsome. It was an ostrich (B&W photo—he’s a photographer). He’ll have no idea it was me.
    Carmelita (cleaner) started today. She did nothing but clean for about three hours. She had one cup of tea, which she sipped as she worked. She won’t chat (too busy). MK was really pleased when she got home and had a good look at all the clean areas and surfaces and sniffed the air (floor polish) and said, “Hey!” She could tell I was a bit annoyed.
    MK: Isn’t it nice?
    Me: It’s OK.
    MK: Don’t know what you’re so mardy