The Angel in the Corner - Monica Dickens [85]
Joe grunted. Stretched out in the chair with his chin on his chest, he looked at her, then lowered his lids and looked away. The poor old girl had floured her face with that white powder, and smeared on some lipstick. Some of it had come off on her teeth.
Mollie talked nervously, leaning forward and finishing her drink in quick sips, as if she were perched on the edge of a bird bath. She put down her glass and patted the bed. ‘Come and sit here, Jo-Jo. You’ll be more comfortable.’
‘I’m O.K.’
Mollie got up and came to sit on the arm of his chair, pulling her tight skirt down over her knees. Or was she trying to pull it farther up?
‘How about a little kiss for old times’ sake?’ she murmured.
Joe did not move. Although she revolted him, he could not help feeling sorry for her. The poor old thing was starved for it. And after all, in the old days, she had let him off an occasional week’s rent for the sake of a kiss and a mild fumble. He moistened his lips. They felt dry and swollen. If he could only have another drink, he would feel much better.
‘Well, how about it?’ Mollie said. ‘You needn’t be shy with me, you know. You never used to be.’
‘Sorry, Moll,’ he said thickly. ‘It’s different now. I’m married.’
‘Oh, pooh,’ she said, resting her claw-like hand on the top of his hair. ‘In my opinion, it’s the feeblest apology for a marriage I ever saw. How long do you think that girl is going to stick to you? I’ve seen it happen like this dozens of times. First, it’s wanting to go off and have a job of her own. Then it’s going to parties on her own – like tonight. Don’t you know she thinks she’s much too good for you?’
‘Shut up,’ Joe said angrily. ‘That isn’t true. Get away from me.’ He pushed away her hand as it slipped from his hair to his cheek, and got up from the chair swaying a little on the hearthrug, and rubbing his hands roughly over his face, as if he were trying to rub away the words that Mollie had spoken, and the mocking sound of them in his head. She thinks she’s much too good for you.
The slam of a taxi, door cut sharply across his clouded thoughts. ‘Clear out, Mollie,’ Joe said. ‘That must be her coming back.’
‘Why should I? Why shouldn’t I come down for a visit in my own house?’
Joe heard only the shrill complaint of her voice, without hearing what she said. He was listening to the voices on the pavement. Virginia’s voice, and a man’s.
Virginia came in alone, and stopped just inside the door when she saw Mollie. ‘Oh – hullo,’ she said vaguely. ‘Been keeping Joe company?’
‘That’s right,’ Mollie said, folding her hands smugly. ‘We had a nice little chat. You’re back very early from your party. I’m sure Joe didn’t expect you back yet.’
‘I didn’t feel well,’ Virginia said shortly. ‘I’m sorry, Mollie, but I’ll have to ask you to go. I want to go straight to bed.’
‘Oh, certainly,’ Mollie said, in her grandest voice. ‘I know when I’m not wanted. Good night then, Jo-Jo. Thanks for the visit.’
Joe felt her hand brush his arm as she passed him, but he did not see her go. He was watching Virginia. She looked pale, and she moved more slowly than usual. He watched her as she went to put away her evening bag, bending to open the drawer. Her smooth young back grew out of the white gown’s embrace like a flower from its calyx.
‘Come here,’ he said.
She turned to look at him. ‘You’re drunk,’ she said, not critically, but as a statement of fact.
‘Not too drunk to be fooled. I mean, not to be fooled. I mean, what do you think I think? I mean, how do you – what am I –’ His speech could not cope with the words that were tumbling in his head.
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ Virginia frowned. ‘What was Mollie doing here? I don’t like her being here.’
‘Never mind that. What I –’
‘But I do mind. She looked as if she was after something.’
‘Of course she was.’ He grinned. ‘The poor old soul has been trying to make me ever since I came here.’
‘She has?’ Virginia suddenly became animated, as if his words had switched away the veil of tiredness. ‘You mean even