“It won’t take long,” Ken returned, leading the way up the path. He unlocked the front door and they entered the small hall.
The air was hot and close, and Ken hurried into the lounge to throw open the windows.
“Phew! Been shut up all day, hasn’t it?” Parker said, following him.
“All the afternoon,” Ken returned, taking off his coat and dropping it on to a chair. “Our help only comes in during the morning.”
He went over and mixed two large highballs. The two men lit cigarettes and raised their glasses.
“Mud in your eye,” Parker said. “I can’t stay long; my wife will be wondering where I am. You know, Holland, I sometimes wonder if I was wise to get married. It has a lot of advantages, of course, but women are so damned exacting. They don’t seem to realize a guy wants a little freedom now and then.”
“Now don’t start that all over again,” Ken said sharply.
“It’s a fact,” Parker said. He finished his highball, sighed and looked expectantly at Ken. “That was pretty good.”
“Want another?”
“I wouldn’t say no.”