Infatuation

'You're unlikely to have to do any,' Judith said drily, lifting the tray.

Luke took it from her. He walked towards the kitchen and Baba picked up her delicate white high-heeled sandals, which she had kicked off earlier, and sat down to put them on. Luke reappeared and asked Judith quietly: 'How's the head?'

'Fine, thank you. Those pills worked wonderfully.'

'Good,' he said, looking away.

'Have you given poor Judith a headache, you slave-driver?' Baba asked, looking up as she slid the strap through the buckle of her shoe. 'How wicked of you, you mustn't be cruel to Judith, she's my oldest friend.'

'Thank you,' said Judith, feeling older than anyone else in the world. 'I get migraine from time to time, that's all. It had nothing to do with work.'

'Yes. it did,' Luke said brusquely. 'You've been working too hard. I shouldn't have pushed you.'

'You didn't push, you didn't need to—I work at my own pace. '

'All the same, slow down. You looked quite ill today. I was worried. '

'Oh. isn't he sweet?' smiled Baba, standing up. 'You get a kiss for that; wasn't it clever of me to find Judith for you?'

'Very clever.' Luke agreed, and as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him said with a tired smile: 'Baba, it is gone eleven—we ought to be on our way.'

She persisted in giving him a kiss, then said: 'I must go to the loo—I won't be a second, darling, don't get into a tizz. Judith, haven't you got a whisky or something to give the brute?' She drifted out without waiting to get an answer.

'I've got some whisky,' Judith said without looking at him.

'I've already had quite enough to drink for one evening. I've been dining with one of the biggest bores in Westminster; drink was the only refuge to hand.'

She laughed spontaneously at his wry voice; their eyes met and she almost jumped at the expression in his. Her mouth moved without uttering a sound, forming the word: 'Don't.' She wasn't even aware of doing it, the word was ringing in her head like bells under water. Don't look at me like that, you mustn't!

He looked so tired, she thought. His eyes moved away from her suddenly, as though he had detached them with difficulty. 'Your flat's so quiet. I had a hell of an evening. I wondered how you were; I couldn't stop yawning while that fool was mumbling on at me. I'd have given anything to be playing chess with…' He stopped, his voice raw, and Judith went hot and then icy cold.

'With one of your chess master opponents back in your flat,' she supplied in as level a voice as she could manage.

He smiled wryly. 'Of course.' A pause, then he asked: 'Did you sleep?'

'For seven hours.'

'My God, you must have been tired! You shouldn't let yourself get into that sort of state.'

'We can't always help ourselves,' Judith said flatly, and Luke looked back at her with a grim, intent expression.

'No.'

Baba came back; she had managed to do the impossible—make herself look even more beautiful. She wound her hand through Luke's arm, her hair decorating his dark sleeve. He looked, Judith thought miserably, quite unbearably good-looking in his evening suit and stiff white shirt; a perfect foil for Baba's blonde beauty. Baba knew it, too. She smiled at Judith happily, her mouth pink and glossy.

'Darling, you're so good to me. It's been a lovely evening.' She glanced sideways at Luke, her blue eyes teasing. 'Luke would much prefer me to spend an evening with you than with some' gorgeous man, wouldn't you, Luke?'

'Much,' said Luke, and Baba laughed.

'We must have another party soon, a cosy little one— you and me, darling, and we'll find a man for Judith.'

Judith was rigid with outrage, but before she could snap angrily Luke steered Baba out of the room; almost hustling her along with an arm around her back. 'Goodnight,' he said shortly as he yanked Baba through the front door.

'Goodnight,' Judith said, closing it on the pair of them and forcibly restraining herself from slamming it. She walked back into the sitting-room and picked up one of the sofa cushions which Baba had been leaning on: it bore the soft imprint of her warm body. Judith punched it back into shape and threw it down again, then she went and did the washing up with brisk energy. Find a man for Judith . . . what a nerve! Baba never thought before she opened her mouth. She had no idea that she was being insulting; Judith was sure of that. Baba wouldn't dream of being spiteful, she simply didn't realise how what she said could sting. Find a man for Judith ... as though they might have to scour the four comers of the world to find anyone willing to put up with her for a whole evening. Baba didn't think she could get a man; that was the point. She had rung here this evening, sure of finding Judith in; it wouldn't have entered her head that Judith might be out on a date, that she wouldn't always be sitting here ready to provide a listening ear for Baba's problems.

Judith went to bed in a mood of angry irritation. She couldn't get to sleep again; she kept imagining Baba and Luke in his house, in his bed. Where else would they have gone at this hour? Jealousy burned her like swallowed acid; she turned over and punched her pillow, furious with herself.

He had been odd tonight; quiet and withdrawn; what had he been thinking when he looked at her in that grim way? His mood had seemed to be a reflection of her own, but that was just wishful thinking, pure imagination. Whatever had been wrong with Luke had nothing to do with her.