‘I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re drivel ing about. I’m not the only lodger in this cess-pit. Why, only yesterday I found a pair of panties in the telephone-box,’ and he sniggered, watching her warily.
‘She looked very young,’ Eve said, as if he hadn’t spoken. ‘Almost a child. Adam, do be careful what you’re doing.’
‘Oh, shut up!’ he said furiously. ‘I’ve had enough of this. I tel you no one’s been here. So shut up!’
There was a long silence. Eve sat motionless, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes closed. The sordid room, the knowledge that that vicious little chit of a girl — she couldn’t have been more than sixteen –
had been here, the phoney sophomore atmosphere and the smell of the cheap perfume made her feel physically ill.
Adam said impatiently, ‘Well, I don’t suppose you came here to admire the scenery. What is it?’
Without opening her eyes she said, ‘Rico brought Baird to see Preston tonight. They’ve just gone.’
‘Baird!’ Adam left the window and came over to her. ‘Did you see him?’
She nodded.
‘Is he going to do the job?’