June was packing the tea things on to the tray and humming a snatch of song. Esther rose.
“Let me do that––you cleared away yesterday.”
She took the tray.
June asked Micky for a cigarette.
“I’ve got heaps somewhere,” she said vaguely. “But I never know where they are.” She looked over to Esther. “Don’t bother to put the cups away now,” she said. “Come back and be cosy.”
She was rather surprised that Esther obeyed; she had quite expected her to go off and not return.
Fond as she was of Esther, she could not quite make her out; she was full of surprises. It was getting dusk, and the room was full of shadows.
“Shall I light up?” Micky asked. “Or do we like the firelight?”
“We like the firelight,” June said promptly; she nestled down amongst her mauve cushions.