They didn’t say anything to each other until Manuel had brought the drinks, and then, when he had gone away, Harry said: “He’s a genius for finding new drinks. Will you thank him very nicely when we go?”
She sipped the drink, pulling a little face. “Yes, I will thank him. I’ll be very, very nice to everyone you like, including your wife and your daughter. There, I can’t do more than that, can I?”
He felt the evening couldn’t go on any longer like this. It was absurd that she should dominate him. He was determined to get things back to normal.
“Listen,” he said, “are you going to say bitchy things all the evening?”
Her eyes opened a trifle. “Am I?”
“It’s no use going on like this. Tell me. Get it off your mind, then perhaps we can forget about it.”
“Forget about what? Mrs. Harry Garner and Miss Garner? They’d be very difficult to forget.”
“Four months ago you said they didn’t matter,” Harry said, determined to keep his temper. “You said you understood my position and you didn’t mind. You didn’t mind; I know you didn’t. Why this sudden change?”
She didn’t like this direct approach. “Harry, do you think if I fell in love with a woman I should be any happier?”
“No, you can’t side-track like that. You don’t mean anything by that. You’re just gaining time.”