‘Yes, that is all . . . I can’t bear it any longer. . . .’
Mollie asked:
‘Did you know you would find me here?’
I said:
‘No. How should I know? I just came away.’
Outside, along the Embankment, the shouting lorries passed, and the crowds, and the rattles, and the noise rose and fell, in irregular, intermittent waves. Bursts of singing floated in at the window, drunken, vulgar singing, of loud voices, cat calls, and shrill, unnatural laughter.
And I shivered, and buried my face, and Mollie comforted me.
She gave me tea to drink, and I felt better, and I realized then, for the first time, that it was strange to find her here.
I said:
‘So you are back!’