‘Yes, but the courses only last a few months.’
‘A few months? Are you mad? What’s Roger supposed to do while you’re gone? Mallory exhaled. ‘Honestly, you should learn something useful in your spare time.’
‘Like what?’
‘I don’t know . . .’ The whole idea of self-improvement was alien to her. ‘Flower arranging. Or the harp, perhaps.’
‘The harp? What’s useful about a harp?’
Mallory thought a moment. ‘It’s soothing. Isn’t it? And you get to stroke something between your legs in public!’
‘Good God, you’re depraved!’ Grace laughed. ‘I’ll tell you what’s soothing — rearranging a filing cabinet, ordering new stationery or getting the books to balance.’
‘Grace . . .’ Mallory threw her hands up in despair. ‘Do you listen to anything I say? Honestly, you’re not in Oxford now. And I’ll tell you a little secret,’ she dropped her voice to a stage whisper, ‘men don’t like clever wives, they like charming ones!’
‘No!’ Grace gasped in pretend shock. ‘You don’t think I’m charming?’
Malloy rolled her eyes. ‘You’re delightful. I’m only saying—’
‘I understand,’ Grace cut her off. Mallory wasn’t about to be persuaded. Every time they met, she had new suggestions for enhancing her homemaking skills; talents she clearly felt Grace was lacking. Why should tonight be any different?
Mallory checked her lipstick in her compact mirror. ‘When’s Roger coming home anyway?’
‘In a week. Maybe sooner.’
‘He’s been away on business a long time. You must miss him.’
Grace said nothing.
‘When he’s home, you’ll forget all that nonsense. Now, have you got a belt you can wear?’ She rustled up behind her. ‘Really! Didn’t anyone explain to you that you’re meant to gain weight in the first few years of marriage? How am I meant to become the spoiling godmother if you don’t get down to the business of fattening up?’
Something changed in Grace’s eyes. Inhaling hard, she turned away. ‘I don’t think I have a belt,’ she said quietly, looking through the dresses hanging in her wardrobe.
Mallory stared at Grace’s slim back.
She’d obviously hit a nerve.
‘Here,’ Mallory reached across, tugging a cummerbund of black velvet from another evening gown. ‘This one will do just fine,’ she said, fitting it round Grace’s waist.
Grace looked small tonight, even younger than usual. She reminded Mallory of a little girl dressing up in her mother’s clothes. It was the hairstyle, so conservative and staid; it would’ve suited an older woman but on Grace it only accentuated her youth. It made her eyes look even larger than normal; they were a very clear grey-green colour, wide set and almond-shaped.
‘Do you think this is all right?’ Grace examined her reflection in the mirror, tense.
It wasn’t like Grace to care too much what others thought. Suddenly Mallory realized it was one of the things that secretly she’d admired about her friend, despite their constant sparring.
‘It’s perfect,’ she assured her. ‘Now let’s go or we shall miss the whole thing.’
Coming down the stairs, Grace paused to check the second post on the hall table.
‘Oh look!’ She held up an envelope. ‘I’ve got airmail! From France. How exciting!’ She tore it open. ‘Who do I know in France?’
‘Is it from your uncle?’ Mallory pulled her coat on.
‘No, he’s in America, lecturing.’ Grace unfolded a letter, began reading.
Mallory waited; tapped her foot impatiently. ‘We must go.’ She took out her car keys. ‘What is it anyway?’
‘This doesn’t make sense.’
‘Is it in French?’
‘No. No, it’s in English.’ Grace sat down on the hall chair. ‘There’s an aeroplane ticket.’
‘An aeroplane ticket? For where?’
‘To Paris.’ Grace looked up, handing her the letter. ‘This is a mistake. Some sort of very bizarre mistake.’
Mallory took it.
It was typed on the kind of heavy, good quality paper that signaled official correspondence. In the corner she noted the name and address of a law firm in central Paris: Frank, Levin et Beaumont.
Dear Mrs Munroe,
Please accept our sincere sympathies for your recent loss. Our firm is handling the estate of the deceased Madame Eva d’Orsey, and it is our duty to inform you that you are named as the chief beneficiary in her will. We request your presence at our offices at your earliest convenience, so that we may go through the details of your inheritance.