Dreaming Out Loud (27 page)

Kay thought how authoritative Julie sounded and wondered if that was what motherhood did to you. She found herself asking Julie’s advice: ‘What shall I say to her?’

‘Well, you could say Tony phoned you to tell you about the baby.’

‘That would be a lie. And, by the way, why didn’t he?’

Julie frowned. ‘Partly because I wanted it to be a lovely surprise for you and partly because I was worried you’d change your mind.’

Kay glanced at her sleeping niece. ‘Of course I wouldn’t have changed my mind!’ she said indignantly.

‘Oh, I don’t mean because of the baby. I mean you might not have wanted to face Mum on your own.’

‘You make me sound a craven coward.’

‘I’m not saying you’re frightened of her. But things have been so bad between you – oh, I know it’s been Mum’s fault, not yours – that it would have been better for me to be a sort of referee to see that the pair of you behaved yourselves.’

Kay took her sister’s hand. ‘You’re very wise, Julie. But you’re also very tired. No, don’t deny it. I think you should sleep for a while. I’ll go downstairs, and perhaps I can help make the meal.’

‘There’ll be no need for that. I think I just heard Tony come back and he’ll have brought his mother. You know, I think the birth of a grandchild might be just what she needs.’ Julie yawned. ‘I’ll explain later. But go and have a chat with her. She knew you were coming and she’s thrilled.’

‘Why thrilled?’

‘Because in her eyes you’re rich and famous.’

‘I’m not rich!’

‘Maybe not, but you can’t deny you’re famous. Now off you go and let me get some sleep before Kathleen wakes up and demands to be fed again.’

A heavy mist had rolled in from the sea, muffling the sound of Kay’s footsteps. She could hear waves lapping eerily on the nearby shore and drawing back across the shingle. The street lights had halos and the hazy light was barely enough to show the way. However, Kay knew these streets well; she still sometimes cycled around them in her dreams. She soon found her way to the house she was heading for.

‘Kay! How wonderful to see you!’ Miss Bennet said. ‘Come in quickly and we’ll go and sit by the fire.’

When Kay and her old friend were settled each side of the hearth, Miss Bennet said, ‘If only I’d known you were coming I would have bought something nice for tea.’

‘Please don’t worry about that. I’ve just had a lovely tea at Julie’s house. That’s where I’m staying.’

‘Not with your mother?’

‘No. She doesn’t know I’m here.’

Miss Bennet frowned. ‘And why is that?’

‘I needed a break and I phoned Julie. Of course, she invited me to stay, and the plan was we should go and face my mother together.’

‘Why would you need to do that?’

‘She was very much against my going to London and things have been difficult between us.’

‘I think you should go and see her straight away, even without Julie to back you up. I realise your sister will be too taken up with your new niece.’

Kay was surprised. ‘You know about the baby?’

Miss Bennet smiled. ‘This is a small town, remember. The gossip gets around. Especially as Tony Chalmers is still very much a local hero. So how is your sister?’

‘Blooming. Motherhood suits her.’

‘Kay, I’d love to talk longer, to ask you about your work and the interesting people that you meet, but I really think you should go and see your mother before it gets too late.’

‘I know . . . I’ll be on my way. But I hope I can come and see you again before I go back to London.’

‘Of course you can. How long are you staying?’

‘Just over a week. I have to be back for the
Mulberry Court
Christmas special.’

‘That sounds exciting.’

Kay laughed. ‘I suppose it will be. There’s going to be a guest star. Someone famous.’

‘Oh, do tell me who.’

‘I can’t. Not even the cast have been told in case they let the cat out of the bag. We won’t know until he or she comes along for rehearsal.’

‘Well, we can speculate together on who it might be. But now, off you go and see your mother.’

Kay was reluctant to leave her old friend. She had been hoping that she could confide in her and maybe receive some sensible advice. But that would have to wait. The familiar streets were now wreathed in heavy fog. Kay almost set out in the direction of the house she had lived in all her life, then she remembered and reoriented herself. She trod a less familiar path to the house she had bought for her mother with the money left to her by Lana Fontaine.

It seemed strange not having a key. Kay rang the bell and waited at the unfamiliar door until her mother answered it.

‘Kay. You should have told me you were coming.’ The first words that her mother spoke to her were critical. ‘Well, I suppose you’d better come in.’

Thelma stood back as Kay entered the house, then said, ‘Well, what do you think?’

‘About what?’

‘About the house, of course.’

‘From what I can see of it – this hallway – it’s lovely.’

Her mother frowned slightly.

‘I mean, it’s fashionable,’ Kay said. ‘Like something in a magazine.’

Thelma smiled. ‘It is, isn’t it? Come on, I’ll show you round. Wait a minute, where’s your case?’

‘At Julie’s.’

‘You went there first?’

‘Julie invited me to stay.’

‘Before or after she had the baby?’

‘Before.’

‘Well, I think you should change your plans now. Julie has enough on her plate. I think you should stay here.’

Kay was astonished. She hadn’t expected her mother to make her welcome.

Thelma continued, ‘After I’ve shown you round, we’ll have a cup of tea, then we can go to Julie’s together to get your things.’

Before Kay could respond, her mother ushered her upstairs to see the bedrooms and the bathroom and then downstairs again, showing her into every room. Kay was touched to see her mother’s pride in her new home, and even though she thought some of the rooms were over-furnished she told her mother everything was beautiful.

While they were drinking tea in the sitting room, Thelma suggested that they phone Julie’s house and ask Tony if he would bring Kay’s case along. ‘Better than us going out again on a chilly night like this, isn’t it?’

‘Oh, but Julie . . .’

‘Julie won’t mind. Not when she’s so taken up with her new baby. I’ll tell her that you and I have a lot to talk about.’

Kay’s spirits sank at the idea but she could hardly object.

After Tony had been and gone her mother seemed rather subdued, and Kay wondered whether she had forgotten that they were supposed to be having a talk. Eventually Thelma sighed and said, ‘Kay, have you anything to ask me?’

Kay was taken aback. There were so many things she wanted to know that she couldn’t think where to start. Then she remembered something she had heard as a child; a conversation that had echoed down the years and come back to her recently.

‘There is something. I’m sure I heard you and Lana quarrelling when I was a child. You were angry with each other. I wasn’t in the same room as you, but I heard Lana say you were breaking her heart, then I think you said that nothing she could say could make you change your mind. Then I heard the sound of a door closing. I’m sure it’s important, but I don’t know why.’

Her mother sighed deeply. ‘I lied to you, Kay, because I was angry and frightened. I told you that Lana just walked away from you after your father died without a backward glance. The truth is, I told her never to come to see you again. I absolutely forbade it.’

‘Why?’

‘I told you. Because I was frightened. I thought that with your father gone and because Lana was becoming rich and successful, she might take you away from me.’ Thelma paused and for a moment Kay thought she looked frightened now. ‘Kay, there’s something you should know. Something I should have told you long ago. Lana was—’

‘My mother.’ Kay paused, remembering the shock and pain she had suffered when she had realised the truth. ‘It’s all right, I’ve already guessed that. I began to wonder as soon as I went to live in her house. There were boxfuls of photographs. It should have occurred to me long before it did that I looked like Lana, but it was only when I found a photograph of her and Dad together – it was the only photo in an envelope in a boxful of loose photographs, as if Lana were telling me that it was special. Lana and Dad looked so very happy, they looked like lovers – oh, Mum, I’m sorry to tell you this, but when I looked at that photograph everything fell into place as I’m sure she meant it to.’

Thelma was weeping. ‘I didn’t want Lana to take you away from me. I loved you as if you were my own child. When she left you everything in her will, I thought she was claiming you at last – that you would go to London, perhaps discover the truth, and then never come back to me.

‘I know I haven’t always been easy to live with,’ she continued. ‘It’s as though what happened in the past soured me, took away my kindlier instincts. I hope you can forgive me for the many times I’ve been harsh or petty, because, whatever I’ve done, I’ve always loved you.’

Kay rose from her chair and knelt at Thelma’s knees. ‘And I love you, Mum. Anything I’ve discovered about Lana doesn’t change that. You know, I don’t think you needed to be frightened that she would take me away from you. She might have liked to visit me, but if she’d taken me it would have hindered her career. That was always more important to her than her daughter. As far as I’m concerned, you are my mother and always will be.’

‘I’m sorry the weather’s been so awful while you’ve been here, Kay,’ Thelma said. ‘I would have liked us to go for a walk along the prom. It may be cold and windy here on the coast, but the air is fresh. I’ve heard on the news all about that dreadful smog in London.’

‘Just imagine what it must be like for babies,’ Julie said. ‘I’ve heard some children have died.’

‘Older people, too,’ Thelma added. ‘Aren’t you frightened to go out, Kay?’

‘I’ve never had to go out when there’s been a real pea-souper,’ Kay said. ‘If it’s the slightest bit foggy when I have to get to work, Julian, that’s the producer, insists we get a taxi. And he orders taxis to take us home, too. He’s even suggested that if the fog is too bad, the cast should camp out in Broadcasting House, like some of them did during the war. But so far we haven’t had to do that.’

‘But what about your other assignments?’

‘Just the same, Mum. If I had to go anywhere I would take a taxi, and allow a couple of hours to get there on time. It doesn’t happen every day, you know,’ Kay said reassuringly, when she saw her mother’s anxious expression.

Thelma smiled tentatively and Kay blinked unexpected tears away; she was touched that her mother really seemed to care for her wellbeing.

The three of them were in the sitting room of Thelma’s new house. Or rather, the four of them. Julie had been feeding the baby and now Kathleen lay contentedly in her mother’s arms, on the verge of sleep. Kay watched as her little niece kept closing her eyes and a moment later opening them as if she was just too interested in what was going on around her and she didn’t want to miss anything.

‘By the way, Kay, what do you think of my fire?’

Startled by her mother’s change of subject, Kay glanced at Julie for enlightenment and saw her sister smile as she nodded towards the hearth.

‘Oh, the fire,’ Kay said. ‘I noticed it straight away. I love the way it flickers as though the imitation coals are burning.’

Thelma frowned. ‘Is it so obvious that the coals are imitation? I thought they looked real.’

‘Oh, they do,’ Kay crossed her fingers as she replied. ‘At first glance it looks very real, but then you see the two bars and you realise you’ve been fooled.’

Kay sensed that Julie was trying hard not to laugh, but Thelma seemed pleased with her answer. She announced that she was going to make a pot of tea and bring it in on the tea trolley with some home-made cake.

The room was quiet. The only sound was the rain beating on the window. Kay and Julie looked at each other and smiled. Kathleen had gone to sleep. She puckered her rosebud mouth now and again as if she were still sucking.

‘Do you want to hold her?’ Julie said softly. ‘Don’t look so frightened. Come and sit beside me on the sofa and I’ll put her in your arms. That’s right.’

Kay looked down at her niece sleeping so sweetly, and for a moment was overwhelmed with love for her.

‘You look good, like that,’ Julie teased gently. ‘Maybe one day in the not-too-distant future you’ll find someone to love and—’

‘Don’t, Julie,’ Kay said quickly, and she couldn’t disguise the catch in her throat.

Julie looked contrite. ‘Kay – I’m sorry.’

‘It’s all right. Don’t worry.’

Kay managed a smile.
Julie probably thinks I’m pining for Tony
, she thought,
and regretting that I left him. Well, let her think that. It’s preferable to telling her about Tom and having to admit to how easily I was deceived.

They were silent for a while as Kay cradled the baby, somehow taking comfort from holding the warm little bundle in her arms.

‘Kay?’ Julie said hesitantly.

‘Yes?’

‘I want to ask a favour of you,’ she paused. ‘No, it’s not just a favour. It’s something very important.’

‘What is it?’

Julie hesitated.

‘I hope you know that I’ll do anything I can,’ Kay said. ‘Just ask.’

‘Then will you consent to be Kathleen’s godmother?’

‘You want
me
to do it?’

‘Of course. Tony and I both think there couldn’t be anyone better.’

‘But what does Mum think?’

‘She’s all for it. She’s started making plans for the christening already. She thinks we should wait a few months until the worst of the winter weather is over. Please say you will.’

Before Kay had time to answer, Thelma came back into the room with the tea trolley. She looked at them enquiringly. ‘Well, Julie, have you asked her?’

‘Yes, Mum, she has,’ Kay said.

‘And?’

‘And there’s nothing I’d like better.’

Chapter Twenty-Five

‘You mean you’d already guessed that Lana was your mother?’ Moira said.

‘There was so much that I’d found hard to explain,’ Kay said. ‘Then I worked it out as soon as I saw the photograph – the one in the envelope that you didn’t think to mention, Shirley. Well, when I saw the way they were completely at ease in each other’s company and the way they were looking at each other, there was no doubt in my mind that they were lovers.’

Kay, Moira and Shirley were having supper in the kitchen. There was a blazing fire and the curtains were drawn against the snowy chill of a winter’s evening.

‘And I’d like to know why you two decided not to mention that you knew the truth of it,’ Kay continued. ‘In fact, you knew all along, didn’t you, Moira? I believe Lana must have told you not long after you became friends. I think she needed someone to confide in.’

‘We didn’t say anything because we didn’t want you to be hurt,’ Shirley said.

‘If only you knew!’ Kay told them. She paused and then spoke less vehemently, ‘My first reaction was to be angry. I felt that a trick had been played on me. Can you imagine what it must feel like to know that you have been lied to all your life?’

Moira looked uneasy. ‘Lana believed that Thelma would be a better mother for you than she could ever be.’

‘Really?’

Moira remained silent.

Kay sighed. ‘That may be true. She would never have given up her career to care for a small child, would she?’

‘All I can say is that I believe she came to regret what she’d done,’ Moira said.

Kay shook her head. ‘I’d like to believe that, but I find it difficult. Perhaps in time . . .’

Nobody spoke, and Kay looked at Moira and Shirley. Their faces were filled with consternation. She paused a moment or two longer, then she said, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll survive, and I’m not really annoyed with you. I realise you wanted to be kind.’

‘Of course we did,’ Shirley said.

Kay smiled. ‘Then how about making me a cup of tea?’

Shirley got up and cleared the used dishes from the table; Moira put the kettle on. A little later, when they were drinking their tea, Moira asked, ‘What about Thelma, Kay? Were you able to put things right with her?’

‘I hope I have. I think I understand her better. She didn’t deserve to be treated the way she was. I loved my father, but now I have to accept how flawed he was. He and Lana, both.’

‘They loved each other,’ Moira said.

‘Was that an excuse to go on with their affair after I was born, and when his wife was bringing up their child?’

Moira looked uneasy.

‘Other people knew or guessed,’ Kay said. ‘For example, the first time I met him, Julian told me how Jack used to come up to London to see Lana. It seems it was common knowledge.’

‘Try not to be too harsh on them,’ Moira said.

Shirley added, ‘You mustn’t allow yourself to get bitter.’

Kay smiled. ‘I’m not bitter. What would be the point all these years later? And no matter what the truth is, it’s Thelma I shall think of as my mother.’

‘I don’t blame you,’ Shirley said.

Moira looked troubled. ‘Lana loved you, Kay. She talked to me about you all the time. She was heartbroken when Thelma refused to let her see you.’

‘Moira, don’t let’s quarrel over this,’ Kay said. ‘You’re loyal to your friend and I respect you for that. That’s why I’m going to give you this keepsake.’ She rose from the table and took a folder from the countertop. ‘My mother gave me this. It’s a scrapbook my father kept of all Lana’s successes. I don’t know why Mum kept it – probably because it was important to my father, and maybe she always intended to give it to me one day. But I think it would mean more to you than it does to me.’

Moira took the folder and flicked through it. Suddenly she looked sad. ‘Thank you, Kay. I still miss her, you know. And although you’ve made your decision, if ever there’s anything you want to know about Lana, just ask me. I’ll tell you if I can.’

Kay looked thoughtful. ‘Actually, there is something. It was a question Mum couldn’t answer.’

‘What is it?’

‘Why did Lana suddenly give up her career? Do you know why she stopped working when she was at the height of her powers?’

‘Oh, dear,’ Moira said. ‘I promised not to tell anyone.’

‘Oh, go on,’ Shirley said. ‘Lana is long gone and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Kay knowing.’

Moira smiled. ‘I’m not so sure about that, but I’ll tell you anyway. It was simply vanity. She was offered a part that several older actresses were very keen to have, in a new Hollywood movie.’

‘I think I know what you’re going to say,’ Kay said.

‘The film was a comedy about family life. It was a terrific part – a leading part – but Lana turned it down.’

‘She was asked to play the mother, wasn’t she?’ Kay said.

Moira sighed. ‘Yes. Lana told me that she didn’t ever want to play the part of an older woman; she wanted to be remembered as young and beautiful. The actress who eventually played the part won an Oscar, and Lana missed out on that chance because of sheer vanity. Ironically, she wasn’t that old, in fact she was barely middle-aged, but Hollywood likes its heroines to be very young.’

‘So she ended up with no career and no family,’ Shirley said. ‘She must have regretted giving Kay up the way she did.’

‘She did. Many a time I had to remind her of her promise to stay away from her, but I think she dreamed of having Kay come here one day, and as it is, she only achieved that once she was dead.’

Kay looked thoughtful. ‘I suppose I’d better tell you that once Shirley is married, I shall probably leave here.’

‘Oh, but Lana hoped that once you’d seen the place you would stay,’ Moira said.

‘I’m sure she did, but sometimes her presence – her ghostly presence – is overbearing. I want a place without history – at least not that kind of history. I intend to buy a place of my own. I can afford that now. Somewhere where my mother and my sister and her family, and my old friend, Miss Bennet, can visit me. I would never ask Mum to stay here.’

Moira looked tearful. ‘You’ll forget all about her. Lana, I mean.’

‘No, don’t worry, I won’t do that. After all, if she hadn’t made me her heir I wouldn’t have come to London. I wouldn’t have had the job that I enjoy so much, and Mum and I would never have come to an understanding. Even Julie and I are on much better terms. So, no, I won’t forget Lana. I have much to thank her for, but like any other daughter, it’s time I flew the nest.’

Dora placed a plate of corned beef hash on the table before Tom and he thanked her without looking up.

‘For God’s sake, Tom, have you forgotten how to smile?’ she said.

‘Sorry, just thinking about something.’

‘What are you thinking about? The successful end to the case you were working on? How you’re going to be promoted? Not likely. It’s more like you made a total balls-up of everything and the Commissioner had put you back on the beat.’

‘Pack it in, Dora. And – er, thanks for this, you know it’s my favourite.’

Tom forgave himself the lie when Dora beamed with satisfaction, but then he caught Ricky’s eye and saw his huge grin.
I hope the lad doesn’t give me away
, he thought.
I can’t stand much more of Dora’s nagging.

‘I’m sorry you’re going to have to work on Christmas morning,’ Miss Bennet said when Kay phoned her, ‘but I’m delighted that there’s going to be a Christmas special. Are you allowed to tell me anything about it?’

‘A little. The programme will begin in the village church and then will go on to show how the various households spend Christmas Day. I’m afraid I can’t say more than that.’

‘Oh.’ Miss Bennet sounded disappointed. ‘You told me there was going to be a surprise guest – somebody famous.’

‘Yes, I did, didn’t I? But we’ve all been told not to tell anyone. Not even our nearest and dearest.’

Kay heard her old friend sigh before saying, ‘Well, I suppose I mustn’t encourage you to break the rules.’

Kay smiled. ‘No, but if you were to guess who it is I might not deny it.’

‘Oh, go on, give me a clue.’

‘He’s a film star.’

‘It’s a man, then.’

‘It is indeed, and in one of his films he played the part of a highwayman and he became involved with a very wicked lady.’

‘
The Wicked Lady
! . . . James Mason! The guest star is James Mason. How wonderful!’

Kay laughed out loud. ‘You could be right, but please keep it secret, even from your sister.’

‘Of course I will. But now that I know, will you tell me what part he’ll be playing?’

‘He’s playing himself. That’s fact. The fiction is that he’s an old friend of the vicar, and that’s as much as I’m going to say. You’ll have to listen to find out more.’

‘Of course I’ll listen. I’ll pour my sister and myself a glass of sherry each and we’ll sit by the fire while the turkey’s cooking and listen to
Mulberry Court
. As if I’d miss it! And that reminds me, what will you be doing when the programme is over? Will you have lunch with your friends?’

Kay did not know what to say. She had not told Miss Bennet, or indeed her family, about the dramatic events concerning Jane, and she wasn’t sure what Shirley’s plans were.

‘I may have lunch in the BBC canteen with some of the rest of the cast.’

‘Oh, no! A canteen lunch. How miserable!’

‘No, it won’t be miserable. There’ll be turkey and all the trimmings, followed by a proper Christmas pudding, coffee and mince pies. And the cast of
Mulberry Court
are a friendly lot.’

‘Well, if you say so, but how I wish you could come home for Christmas. I miss you, you know.’

Wanting to change the subject, Kay decided to tell Miss Bennet of her plans to buy a house, ‘And I hope you’ll come and stay,’ she added.

‘How wonderful, of course I will! Whenever you ask me.’

Tom, pretending to read yesterday’s newspaper, could smell the turkey cooking. Dora, already in festive mood, was wearing a paper hat, drinking from a glass of port wine, and singing carols as she set the table.

Tom looked up. ‘Anything I can do to help?’ he asked.

‘No, you just sit there and carry on being miserable,’ Dora said. ‘Ricky’s going to give a hand with the vegetables while I listen to
Mulberry Court
.’ She switched on the radio and cursed when it tuned in to the wrong station. ‘Flipping Radio Luxembourg,’ she said. ‘Ricky, can you just come and get me the BBC?’

Ricky put down his copy of
True Crime
, retuned the wireless and went into the kitchen looking fed up but resigned. While they waited for the signature tune, Dora said, ‘I’m sorry if I’ve been nagging you lately, Tom, but the truth is you’ve got me worried. Is there something the matter with you? Are you ill? If so, you should have told me.’

‘No, Dora, I’m not ill.’

‘Then what the blazes is the matter with you?’ She stopped and her eyes widened. ‘Flippin’ ’eck, you’re not in love, are you? That’s what Ricky thinks. You’ve found yourself a girl and you’re worried about what will happen to Ricky and me. I thought he was joking in his usual way, but it strikes me it might be true. Well, stop worrying at once. You’ve been very good to us since your brother died, and I’ve realised lately what a selfish cow I’ve been. Other war widows have coped much better than I have. It’s time I pulled my socks up. Even my own son has told me so.’

‘Ricky’s a good lad,’ Tom said.

‘I know, I’m lucky to have him.’

‘And he’s lucky to have you. You’ve done a good job there, Dora.’

Dora looked serious for a moment. ‘With your help, Tom. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.’ She paused and listened to the wireless. A familiar signature tune was playing. ‘That’s it!
Mulberry Court
is starting,’ she said. ‘But listen to me, if you’ve found a girl, just go and get her. And now let’s listen to my favourite programme.’

Just go and get her
, Tom thought.
If only it were as easy as that.
No matter how much he loved her, he doubted if Kay would ever speak to him again. He stared miserably ahead. He hadn’t even heard the doorbell when Ricky came back into the room with an envelope.

‘Was that the postman? I hope you gave him his Christmas tip. It’s in an envelope on the hallstand.’

‘No, it wasn’t the postman, but I don’t think he’ll be long. They knock off at twelve today.’

‘So who was it and what is it?’ his mother asked him.

‘One of Uncle Tom’s pals from work.’

Ricky gave Tom the envelope. ‘He hadn’t time to come in,’ he said. ‘But he said it was addressed to you at the Yard and it’s got urgent on it. He didn’t want to spoil your Christmas dinner for you, but he thought he’d cop it if it was important and he ignored it.’

Dora looked vexed. ‘Don’t say you’ve got to go to work, Tom! They might leave you alone on Christmas Day.’ She looked at him anxiously while he opened the envelope.

‘It’s all right. It’s just a Christmas card.’

‘Who from?’

‘Nobody you know.’

Tom read the message inside the card and put it back in the envelope. When neither Dora nor Ricky were watching him he slipped it into his jacket pocket. This card would not be displayed on the mantelpiece with the others.

Kay and Shirley had got up earlier than usual on Christmas morning. Kay washed and dressed, and went downstairs to find Shirley waiting for her in the hall. Neither had slept well and they laughed when they saw each other’s weary faces. Each was holding a small, gaily wrapped parcel.

‘Happy Christmas!’ they said in unison.

‘As we haven’t got a tree to put presents under this year, I’m giving this to you now,’ Shirley said.

Kay sighed. ‘I didn’t feel like buying a tree just for me.’ Then, worried that Shirley might think she was feeling sorry for herself, she smiled brightly. ‘And this is for you.’

They exchanged the intriguing-looking parcels and put them on the kitchen table. Kay saw to the fire while Shirley filled the kettle and lit the stove, then they sat down to open the presents. Kay had bought Shirley a cream-coloured cashmere scarf, and Shirley’s gift to Kay was a pack of three pairs of seamed silk stockings. They looked at their gifts, thanked each other smilingly, and then fell silent.