Such Men Are Dangerous Read Online Free PDF Page B

There were tears in his eyes.
    “Oh, Ginny,” he said. “My Ginny…”

5
    “Ginny,” said her mother, “you know that table in the window, the one I thought of bagging for ourselves? Too late. But at least the newcomers look interesting.”
    “Appearances must be deceptive.”
    “Why?”
    “Because we’re the only interesting people who ever came to this place. Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same dump.”
    “They’re certainly more decorative than Mr and Mrs Simpson.”
    “They could be a dozen times more decorative and still make Quasimodo seem like a sex symbol.”
    “Clearly you are feeling better. Excellent. So do you think you’ll be getting up soon?”
    “I suppose so.”
    “There’s my good girl! But when Daddy phones this evening you won’t speak of Sea View as a dump, now, will you? Which it isn’t, anyway. And it would only worry him.”
    “Hmm. I’ll see. Tell me about these people whom you find so fascinating.”
    “They’re a mother and son.”
    “Yes, that does sound fascinating.”
    “He’s blond and very handsome. And about twenty.”
    “Have you spoken to them?”
    “No. I smiled across the dining room most pleasantly.”
    “Then how do you know he isn’t her boyfriend?”
    “Because when you’re a woman of a certain age, to have a young man like that in tow you have to be very rich indeed. (I mean, I’m guessing; I haven’t made inquiries.) And when you’re very rich indeed you don’t come to stay at a place like Sea View .”
    “Because it’s a dump?”
    “From the point of view of giving the most lyrical expression to a grand illicit passion…yes.”
    “Anyhow, I’m quite impressed with the reasoning. So let’s see what you make of this. If they’re indeed a mother and son and he’s about my age why are they down here together? Eastbourne doesn’t seem the most exciting place for any truly interesting young man who, remember, doesn’t yet know I’m in it. Could it possibly be that he’s still tied to the apron strings?”
    “Darling, I’ve noticed recently that you’re becoming very cynical. I hope it’s just an act. I think I prefer the softer centre.”
    Ginny at once pushed back the bedclothes and kneeling on the rumpled sheet put her arms around her mother’s neck. “Oh, of course it’s just an act. I approve of people who like their mothers.” She added: “Especially when they’re very handsome.”
    Mrs Plummer returned a quarter of an hour later, when Ginny was dressed.
    “Are you really feeling better?”
    Ginny nodded. “And I don’t intend to waste even one more minute of a sunny Saturday.”
    “You know, the further I consider it, the less happy I am with regard to Mr Heddingly. I honestly do believe we’ll have to find another gynaecologist.”
    “Oh, hell. Oh, hell. Well, at least let’s make it one who doesn’t tell me, every time, to go and have a baby!”
    “How I agree! Even your father’s jokes are marginally less wearing. But, turning to more cheerful things, I came back because I’ve just spoken to Miss Bryanston in the office. Their name is Madison. They come from Basingstoke.”
    “Oh, do they now? But why should I feel this is really the right moment to remind you…?”
    “ His name, by the way, is Simon. Miss Bryanston says that he’s delightful. Remind me of what, dear?”
    “Of how when I was younger you were always trying to pair me off with someone else my age, saying, ‘ She looks nice,’ or, ‘ He looks nice, you’re bound to have a lot in common, now run off together and have a good time!’ And we never had a good time; we never had more than a dozen words to say to one another! I’ve got no confidence that things have greatly changed.”
    “No, darling, you may be absolutely right. How glad I am, though, that you’ve chosen to put on that particular frock. We always agreed it was your prettiest.”
    “I didn’t suggest I wasn’t still part of the human race. All I do hope,