grinned. ‘All right, all right, you laugh. But I'm right. I'm sure of it. What happened to his father?'
‘Oh, he died years ago.'
‘Probably bullied to death, if you ask me,’ said Amanda shrewdly. ‘From what you've said, his mother sounds a tyrant.'
Susan sighed. ‘Maybe it's my fault. I let her get away with too much. I think that's David's dilemma too. After his father died she turned to him more and more and consequently today things are worse than ever. She needs a daughter-in-law who is as tough as she is and who will answer her back and not allow her to get her own way.'
Amanda frowned. ‘That was an ambiguous remark. Do I take it you're having doubts as to whether you'll be her daughter-in-law?'
Susan flushed. ‘Oh, no! No!’ She lit a cigarette hastily, with hands that were not quite steady. ‘It's just that sometimes I wish I were more like that.'
‘Is that so?’ Amanda looked sceptical, and Susan wondered whether the remark she had made had indeed been triggered by some subconscious desire to be free of the Chalmers family once and for all.
But, she told herself desperately, she did love David, and that was all that mattered. Once they were married she would feel differently about everything. Once they were settled in a home of their own, and perhaps with a family, too, she would find her fears had merely been will-o'-the-wisps, without any substance or foundation. For once she was married to David, she felt sure she would be able to handle his mother in a more positive way.
That evening she dressed with care for their dinner engagement. She wore a dress of heavy black silk which clung to the slender lines of her figure, revealing the curve of her breast and the lithe smoothness of her hips. With it she wore a dark red cape and she was ready and waiting when David arrived at seven-fifteen. He, too, looked smart in a dinner jacket and Susan wondered what he had told his mother about this evening.
He looked very impressed when he saw Susan and said, ‘I'm quite looking forward to this evening. Halstad is a very influential man. He may be able to put some work our way.'
Susan stared at him. ‘What on earth has a pressman in common with an architect?'
‘Well, nothing really, my dear, but Halstad doesn't only dabble in things literary. He has interests all over the world. Why, Mathews was only saying this afternoon what an opportunity this was …'
Susan gasped. Mathews was the head partner in the firm and a man she both disliked and despised. A married man, he spent his free time at night clubs and strip-shows, taking up with different women to the shame and embarrassment of his wife, caring nothing for his three children, other than that they be provided with a paid education and adequately provided with the material comforts his money could buy. On the rare occasions when he had encountered Susan he had treated her like another of his conquests and she had been horrified that David had done nothing and said nothing to prevent her discomfort.
‘If you think this evening is going to be turned into a business meeting, you're mistaken,’ she exclaimed hotly. ‘Amanda has invited us and you will kindly remember that and give her the consideration she deserves. I will not have you introducing work into the conversation. Good heavens, Dominic Halstad isn't interested in Mathews, Mathews, Graham and Chalmers!'
David looked taken aback. ‘I say, Susan, don't get on your high horse, old girl. I'm only thinking of us, you know.'
‘Are you? Are you?’ Susan buttoned her cape. ‘Anyway, remember what I've said, and try to be a little more friendly towards Amanda. She's been very kind to me, and I'm very fond of her.'
‘All right, Susan, I get the message,’ said David, becoming a little annoyed now. ‘I don't know why you think I would say anything out of place. I'm sure I have as much discretion as the next man.'
Susan smiled at this and wished wryly that it was true.
They arrived at Amanda's apartment at about seven-forty-five. Sarah admitted them and they removed their coats in the hallway before entering the large lounge.
This room extended the length of the apartment block and was divided by a librenza into two parts; one used for dining and the other as the lounge. It was tastefully decorated with furniture which was neither modern nor old-fashioned. Amanda was not interested in collectors’ items and yet there were several good pieces of Sheraton and Chippendale which looked rather out of place beside the Formica-topped occasional table and stereophonic radiogram.
Dominic Halstad was seated on the low couch near the pseudo-log fire, the diffused lighting darkening his already tanned skin and giving him a faintly foreign air. He was sitting forward glancing at the draft of Amanda's latest novel, and he looked at home and very relaxed.
He rose to his feet immediately at their entrance, and smiled. Susan was acutely aware of how her nerves had tensed again, and of how her spine tingled in a most unusual manner. The colour mounted in her cheeks and she was glad that David's eyes were not on her at that moment.
But David himself was walking towards the other man, holding out his hand and saying, ‘You must be Mr. Halstad. My name is Chalmers, sir. I'm very pleased to meet you.'
Feeling she was neglecting her duties, Susan hastily joined them and made unnecessary introductions. She felt aware that Dominic Halstad was rather amused by her, and she felt annoyed and altogether uncomfortable.
After they were seated, Dominic said, ‘Amanda is fussing over the dinner in the kitchen, so can I provide you with a drink? What would you like, Susan?'
Susan shrugged. ‘A Martini, perhaps,’ she murmured. ‘Thank you.'
‘How about you, Chalmers?'
David bit his lip. ‘I … well … perhaps the same for me, sir.'
Dominic raised his dark eyebrows and walked indolently across to the cocktail cabinet. Susan glanced at David and he shrugged his shoulders defensively. He had never accepted a drink in her presence before.
Dominic returned with two Martinis and a Scotch with ice for himself. After handing them their drinks he seated himself opposite them in a low armchair and said:
‘I understand you're engaged. When do you intend getting married?'
‘In October,’ replied David swiftly. ‘We're saving up for a house.'
Susan glanced at David. So they were going to have their own house. She wondered whether he had told his mother so definitely. It did not seem likely. It was probably simply bravado away from her domineering attitude.
‘Very good. There are some pleasant new developments on the outskirts of the city. I've noticed quite a number of changes since my return.'
‘You've been abroad?’ David was interested.
‘Yes. I only returned this week.'
‘Really. Where have you been?'
Susan glanced at the kitchen door, and wondered whether she could make some excuse and go and talk to Amanda in the kitchen. For some reason, Dominic Halstad's presence overpowered her and she found she could not look away from his compelling gaze.
Amanda emerged from the kitchen at that moment, as though in
