Parker Pyne Investigates - Agatha Christie [20]
‘And so one learns to live and let live,’ finished Iris.
‘You’re wonderful, darling,’ said Mrs Massington, and added too quickly: ‘Tell me, who is this girl?’
Iris raised a weary shoulder. ‘Don’t ask me! Reggie found her. She’s Reggie’s little friend! So amusing. You know he never looks at girls as a rule. He came to me and hemmed and hawed, and finally said he wanted to ask this Miss de Sara down for the weekend. Of course I laughed–I couldn’t help it. Reggie you know! Well, here she is.’
‘Where did he meet her?’
‘I don’t know. He was very vague about it all.’
‘Perhaps he’s known her some time.’
‘Oh, I don’t think so,’ said Mrs Wade. ‘Of course,’ she went on, ‘I’m delighted–simply delighted. I mean, it makes it so much easier for me, as things are. Because I have been unhappy about Reggie; he’s such a dear old thing. That’s what I kept saying to Sinclair–that it would hurt Reggie so. But he insisted that Reggie would soon get over it; it looks as if he were right. Two days ago Reggie seemed heartbroken–and now he wants this girl down! As I say, I’m amused. I like to see Reggie enjoying himself. I fancy the poor fellow actually thought I might be jealous. Such an absurd idea! “Of course,” I said, “have your friend down.” Poor Reggie–as though a girl like that could ever care about him. She’s just amusing herself.’
‘She’s extremely attractive,’ said Mrs Massington. ‘Almost dangerously so, if you know what I mean. The sort of girl who cares only for men. I don’t feel, somehow, she can be a really nice girl.’
‘Probably not,’ said Mrs Wade.
‘She has marvellous clothes,’ said Mrs Massington.
‘Almost too exotic don’t you think?’
‘But very expensive.’
‘Opulent. She’s too opulent looking.’
‘Here they come,’ said Mrs Massington.
III
Madeleine de Sara and Reggie Wade were walking across the lawn. They were laughing and talking together and seemed very happy. Madeleine flung herself into a chair, tore off the beret she was wearing and ran her hands through her exquisitely dark curls.
She was undeniably beautiful.
‘We’ve had such a marvellous afternoon!’ she cried. ‘I’m terribly hot. I must be looking too dreadful.’
Reggie Wade started nervously at the sound of his cue. ‘You look–you look–’ He gave a little laugh. ‘I won’t say it,’ he finished.
Madeleine’s eyes met his. It was a glance of complete understanding on her part. Mrs Massington noted it alertly.
‘You should play golf,’ said Madeleine to her hostess. ‘You miss such a lot. Why don’t you take it up? I have a friend who did and became quite good, and she was a lot older than you.’
‘I don’t care for that sort of thing,’ said Iris coldly.
‘Are you bad at games? How rotten for you! It makes one feel so out of things. But really, Mrs Wade, coaching nowadays is so good that almost anyone can play fairly well. I improved my tennis no end last summer. Of course I’m hopeless at golf.’
‘Nonsense!’ said Reggie. ‘You only need coaching. Look how you were getting those brassie shots this afternoon.’
‘Because you showed me how. You’re a wonderful teacher. Lots of people simply can’t teach. But you’ve got the gift. It must be wonderful to be you–you can do everything.’
‘Nonsense. I’m no good–no use whatever.’ Reggie was confused.
‘You must be very proud of him,’ said Madeleine, turning to Mrs Wade. ‘How have you managed to keep him all these years? You must have been very clever. Or have you hidden him away?’
Her hostess made no reply. She picked up her book with a hand that trembled.
Reggie murmured something about changing, and went off.
‘I do think it’s so sweet of you to have me here,’ said Madeleine to her hostess. ‘Some women are so suspicious of their husbands’ friends. I do think jealousy is absurd, don’t you?’
‘I do indeed. I should never dream of being jealous of Reggie.’
‘That’s wonderful of you! Because anyone can see that he’s a man who’s frightfully attractive to women. It was a shock to me when I heard he was married. Why do all the attractive men get snapped up so young?’
‘I’m glad you find Reggie so attractive,