Free A Surgical Affair by Shirley Summerskill Page B

came to call for her she had left her door ajar, so he knocked twice and pushed it open. She was standing at the mirror wearing her high-necked white cotton dress. She knew the tight-fitting bodice outlined her figure, and the flared skirt and black pumps gave her an extremely youthful appearance.
    Without looking around, she said, “I’m ready,” because in some strange, unaccountable way, Diana was overcome by shyness.
    Mark stood in the doorway, and she could feel him gazing in admiration. He gave a long low whistle. “You look very pretty," he told her quietly.
    She smiled happily and knew that she did.
    Collecting her jacket from the chair, Diana walked out of the door, and Mark followed, saying, “What a perfume!” She realized that was the second time he had noticed her perfume and thought how ironic it was ... Richard’s Christmas present, another of his lavish gifts to her, presented with such flourish—what a success it was having!
    Mark and Diana went downstairs in silence. She was excitedly aware that this was their first outing together and felt very conscious of every remark they made. She was completely content to be with Mark; the whole evening ahead of them.
    “You sit in front with me, Sister, and direct me, or I’ll lose the way among all these country lanes,” said Mark, as they all climbed into the shining blue Cadillac that looked like a huge metal monster, glistening in the half-light of dusk.
    Diana settled into the leopard-skin covering on the back seat. There was a faint smell of perfume in the car, different from her own. She wondered what she was like, this woman Mark must know so well and yet cared for so little. “Perhaps owners look like their cars, as well as their dogs?” thought Diana, with a smile. “In that case, she must be smooth, sleek and sophisticated.”
    Ten minutes later they drew up at a large country house standing back from the road. Mr. Cole appeared at the doorway to welcome them. In the hall was Mrs. Cole; a tall, gray-haired woman, wearing a smart blue dress, and with pince-nez perched on the end of her nose. Towering over her husband, she greeted them effusively.
    “Good evening! How nice to see you all! ... I know Sister. Without her Charity Ward would fall to bits. Ha! Ha! And Dr. Field, how do you do? I hope my husband isn’t making you work too hard? Ha! Ha! ... and Dr. Royston, I’ve heard such a lot of nice things about you, I can’t wait to have a long talk with you about Australia.”
    Mrs. Cole ushered her guests into the large drawing room, decorated with her husband’s hunting trophies and tastefully furnished with genuine antique pieces.
    Sipping the sherry she had been given, Diana listened to them all discussing the bazaar, which Mrs. Cole was organizing, for the Friends of Mansion House Hospital. She remembered Sister Baker telling her, “Mr. Cole’s wife used to be his Theater Sister, years ago, when he was first a consultant. I’ve heard that she was rather quiet and submissive in those days. ”
    “The years have certainly changed all that,” Diana thought. “Mr. Cole is the quiet one now—in his home, that is.”
    “My probl e m is,” declared Mrs. Cole, “who can I invite to open the bazaar? I mean, should it be an actor, or a politician—or a comedian?”
    She looked around at them all, a perplexed expression on her face. Then, as various suggestions were put forward, the maid announced that dinner was served. Mr. Cole looked distinctly relieved; Diana had the feeling it was because his wife had talked of nothing but the bazaar for the last two months.
    Melon was followed by fresh salmon, caught by Mr. Cole the previous day on his brother’s estate.
    “Do you eat much salmon in Australia, Mark?” Mr. Cole asked affably. Diana had never heard him call Mark by his Christian name before.
    “Now and then, if you know where to catch it sir.”
    “I want to go there before I get too old. It must be good to live in a young,