Free No Enemy but Time by Evelyn Anthony Page B

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    â€˜Where are we having tea, darling?’ Philip asked, as if he didn’t know.
    â€˜In the den,’ his wife replied.
    â€˜The den?’ Blanche knew immediately she shouldn’t have asked, but the word made no sense to her. Where would you find a ‘den’ at Riverstown?
    â€˜Dad’s old study,’ her son said. ‘Eileen’s made it very cosy.’
    â€˜We use it a lot,’ the girl said, showing her into the room.
    Blanche looked round her at the wallpapered walls and the flounced pink curtains and said, ‘How very nice. Such a pretty colour scheme.’
    She sat down and the Labrador flopped at her feet. This had been her husband’s favourite room. There was no trace of him now. She was surprised how much it hurt. Philip looked very well, and kept giving his wife reassuring looks which Blanche wasn’t supposed to see. If he was happy that was something, but for how long? How long before the difference in their background began to jar? This dreadful, vulgar room!
    Lily brought in a silver tray with tea and sandwiches and one of Mary’s marvellous sponge cakes. Blanche smiled up at her.
    â€˜How are you, Lily? It’s so nice to see you. You’re looking very well.’
    â€˜Oh, I am, Mrs Arbuthnot, mam.’
    She saw the furtive look at the new mistress of the house and thought, ‘You know which side your bread is buttered, never mind the fifteen years you worked for me.’
    â€˜How do you like your tea?’ Eileen asked.
    For a moment their eyes met. ‘Not too strong. Just milk, no sugar. Thank you.’ She took a slice of cake. There was silence. She had never felt so uncomfortable in her life. Her son was married, her daughter-in-law expecting their first baby and she didn’t know what to say next.
    â€˜How’s Mary?’ It sounded so forced, but she couldn’t leave the silence.
    â€˜Mary?’ Eileen Arbuthnot echoed.
    â€˜Yes, Mary Donovan – you’ve still got her, haven’t you?’
    â€˜Oh, yes. She’s very well.’
    â€˜Can’t you tell by the sponge cake?’ Philip made a joke out of it. ‘Eileen says her whiskey cake is better, but I haven’t let her prove it yet.’
    â€˜Mary’d never forgive you if it was,’ Blanche answered. Or if you went into her kitchen and interfered. But I can’t say that. I can’t behave naturally because I mustn’t give offence. They haven’t mentioned the baby. I suppose it’s up to me. She cleared her throat.
    â€˜Philip told me the splendid news, Eileen. When will the baby arrive?’
    â€˜Early August, Doctor Baron says,’ the girl answered.
    â€˜Baron?’ Blanche was aghast. ‘Surely he’s not looking after you?’ She switched to Philip. ‘He’s an absolute idiot, I wouldn’t have him to whelp Bunny. My dear, you must get somebody from Dublin.’
    She knew that she had made a fatal mistake. The girl’s pale face flushed an unbecoming red.
    â€˜He’s been our doctor since I was born. He’s good enough for me.’
    Blanche suddenly felt quite tired. What an effort, and then to see it wasted. There was no point of contact and there never would be. She pulled herself together and said, sounding brisker than she realized, ‘Anyway, it’s splendid news. One more cup of tea and then I really must be on my way. It’s quite a drive.’
    Philip said, ‘Mother’s going to stay with the Dornaways.’
    Eileen said, ‘Who are the Dornaways?’
    â€˜The Earl and Countess of …’ He was trying to be jolly again. ‘Dornaway Castle is quite a place. I’ll take you down there one day. They’re awfully sweet.’
    â€˜They’ve asked me for ten days,’ Blanche said. ‘It’s such a lovely house, your father and I always enjoyed going there. You must drive Eileen over to meet Bobby and Jill.