Free Wives at War by Jessica Stirling

to habit they turned to face Rosie.
    Polly wore a mannish-cut jacket with padded shoulders and a skirt with a front pleat. Her heavy fur-trimmed coat was draped over her shoulders like a cloak and she seemed, Babs thought, bone-brittle, her voice steely.
    â€˜All this fuss,’ Polly said, ‘over nothing.’
    â€˜It isn’t nothing,’ said Rosie. ‘It’s morally wrong.’
    â€˜Morally what? Are you accusin’ me of cheatin’ on Jackie?’
    â€˜Stop it. Stop it this instant.’ Polly glanced round. ‘Where’s Mammy? Don’t tell me you’ve chased her out of her own house with your squabbling?’
    â€˜She’s taken April for a walk,’ said Babs, somewhat chastened. ‘Anyway, what are you doin’ here? Have you come to tell me I’m a dirty trollop too?’
    â€˜I come every Sunday, as it happens,’ said Polly. ‘I had no idea you’d be here, either of you.’
    â€˜What’s in the parcel?’ Rosie asked.
    â€˜Eggs.’
    â€˜Did you buy them from Dougie?’ said Babs.
    â€˜Yes, I was out at Blackstone on Wednesday,’ Polly replied.
    â€˜Did you see the kids?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜How are they?’
    â€˜Perfectly fine.’
    â€˜I should have been there today but I haven’t seen Mammy for weeks so I thought I’d better come here instead.’
    â€˜You don’t have to apologise to me, Babs,’ Polly said.
    â€˜I’m not apologisin’. I’m explainin’.’
    â€˜Explain him while you’re at it then,’ said Rosie.
    Polly stripped off her gloves and placed them on the table beside the eggs. She took a silver cigarette case from her handbag, lit a cigarette and blew smoke towards the ceiling.
    â€˜Doesn’t your husband talk to you, Rosie?’ Babs said. ‘He had a good poke about my house last week an’ even met the mystery man. I thought he’d have given you a full report.’
    â€˜What if he duh-did?’ said Rosie, sulkily.
    â€˜You’re here to cry on Mammy’s shoulder an’ tell her what a bad girl I am, aren’t you?’ Babs said.
    â€˜Stop it,’ Polly said again. ‘First time we’ve been together in months, so I suggest we try to behave like civilised human beings and not alarm Mother any more than we have done already. Rosie, light the gas under the soup pot, then go outside and see if you can find Mammy and April and bring them in. It’s far too cold to be wandering about outside.’
    â€˜Try next door,’ said Babs. ‘She’s got cats next door. April loves cats.’
    Polly nodded. ‘Rosie, did you hear me?’
    â€˜I heard you.’
    â€˜Then do it. Please.’
    Reluctantly Rosie pushed herself out of the armchair and drew the coat about her thin frame. She looked ghastly, Polly thought, unkempt and underfed, like a refugee. She watched Rosie go out into the kitchen.
    Babs whispered, ‘She’s looks terrible, doesn’t she?’
    â€˜Dreadful.’
    â€˜What’s wrong with her? Is it the job?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    â€˜Well, she’s certainly got it in for me,’ Babs said. ‘She sent Kenny round to our house to interrogate my lodger.’
    â€˜I’m not surprised,’ said Polly. ‘What puzzles me is why you bothered to tell me in the first place.’
    â€˜I thought it was somethin’ you should know.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Because…’ Babs shrugged.
    â€˜Because your friend’s American and you thought he might have been sent here by Dominic?’
    â€˜It did cross my mind,’ Babs admitted.
    â€˜Has he said anything about Dominic?’
    â€˜Claims he never heard of him.’
    â€˜And me, what about me?’ said Polly.
    â€˜What about you?’
    â€˜Has he suggested we might meet?’
    â€˜Not so far.’
    â€˜Do you see why I’m