Free A Friend of the Family by Marcia Willett Page B

her, to Felicity’s rage, had Cass spoken or looked at her in such a way. Gone was the mocking, measuring glance of the rival, the provocative tone of an old enemy who knew her to be worthy of her steel, and in its place—she felt herself cringe away from it—was pity. If Cass felt sorry for her then her position must indeed be pathetic. Cass’s smile was friendly, her tone kindly, and instinctively Felicity’s head reared up in pride and total rejection.
    â€˜I’m very well, thanks. And you? You’re looking tired.’
    Cass raised her brows a little as if she acknowledged the hit but was surprised and even faintly amused at it. Her reaction was rather that of one who might look tolerantly, even with admiration, upon an old and toothless dog who barks at a visitor. Metaphorically she patted Felicity’s head, refusing to be alarmed or provoked.
    â€˜It’s the holidays and the children are home. Totally exhausting. What about a cup of coffee?’
    No jibes about Felicity’s ‘barrenness’ as Cass had always called it, no remarks about the pleasures of being able to live for oneself. Felicity clenched her fists.
    â€˜No time, I’m afraid. I’ve got people to lunch.’
    â€˜Nice for you.’
    Felicity knew that Cass was visualising her small circle of cronies, mostly naval wives who, now that their husbands were away less and less, would soon get tired of Felicity dropping in, phoning up. Single women could be a bit of a pain when husbands were around and they made an odd number at dinner parties. Lunch sessions and coffee mornings would be cancelled and more and more she would be left alone except when someone said, ‘We really must ask Felicity round, poor old thing. We forget she’s all on her own.’ Felicity saw all this and more in Cass’s eyes. She saw sympathy with the pity, and the humiliationand pain that she felt was nearly as great as that which she’d experienced when she received George’s letter announcing his defection. She lifted her chin and stared at Cass.
    â€˜And, of course, I go to London very often now.’
    â€˜London!’ Cass arched her brows as if in amazement that Felicity was still capable of travelling so far and, had she done it in her old manner, Felicity would have seized upon it with fierce satisfaction. But Cass was still regarding her with that friendly kindness, pleased for her that she should have such a treat, and Felicity felt that she would like to rend her with her red pointed nails. She must restore her position of equality and wipe that look from Cass’s face.
    â€˜Oh, yes. To see George. I’m sure Tom has told you that George is at the Ministry of Defence?’
    She had done it and her heart exulted within her. Cass looked at her blankly. ‘George?’
    It was Felicity’s turn to raise her black, much-plucked brows. ‘Of course. He’s got a flat in London. All on his own of course. I must say that I was a bit surprised when you talked of his sharing with Tom and Tony.’ She laughed and shook her head. ‘That wouldn’t have suited us at all. Anyway. I mustn’t keep you from your brood. I must say I’m glad I haven’t got all that. Nothing so ageing as children. Look after yourself, Cass. You really mustn’t let yourself go. So easy at our ages. See you.’
    She turned away, her heart beating so hard and so heavy with bitter satisfaction and pain that she felt it might burst or that she must faint. Cass stood staring after her and then walked quickly away in the opposite direction.
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    â€˜ WELL, ALL I CAN say,’ observed Kate on Sunday as she stacked plates on the draining board, ‘is, if what you say is true, Thea and George look very happy about it.’
    She kept her voice down so that Cass’s other lunch guests shouldn’t hear and began to scrape the remains of food from the plates into the dog bowl,