“I didn’t know myself until I got home,” Parker said gloomily. He took out his cigarette-case and offered it to Ken. “My ma-in-law’s coming to spend a few days with us. Why the old cow can’t take a taxi instead of expecting me to meet her beats me. It’s not as if she’s hard up, although the way she acts you’d think she was on relief. I told Maisie not to invite her, but she never does what I want.”
Ken took the cigarette and accepted a light from Parker.
“Hello,” Parker said, lifting his eyebrows, “so the lawn didn’t get cut after ai I
Ken had forgotten about the lawn.
“No; it was too hot,” he said hurriedly.
Parker engaged gear and pulled away from the kerb.
“I thought you’d have better sense than to waste your time cutting a lawn.” He gave Ken a dig in the ribs with his elbow. “How did you get on, you dirty dog?”
“I got on very well,” Ken said, trying to sound casual. “I spent the evening weeding and went to bed early.”
Parker gave a hoot of laughter.
“Tell that to your grandma,” he said with a leer. “Have you seen your face this morning? Boy! Do you look washed out! Did you visit my little friend?”