The Other Side of Midnight

"Am I late?" she asked.

"It wouldn't matter if you were," Fraser said, looking at her with open admiration. "Do you know you're fantastically beautiful?"

"Of course," she replied. "Everybody knows I'm the fantastically beautiful Catherine Alexander."

"I mean it, Cathy." His tone was so serious that she was embarrassed.

"Thank you, Bill," she said awkwardly. "And stop staring at me like that."

"I can't help it," he said. He took her arm.

Louis, the maitre d', led them to a corner booth. "There you are, Miss Alexander, Mr. Fraser, enjoy your dinner."

Catherine liked being known by name by the maitre d' of the Jefferson Club. She knew that it was childish and naive of her, but it gave her a feeling of being somebody, of belonging. Now she sat back, relaxed and contented, surveying the room.

"Will you have a drink?" Fraser asked.

"No, thank you," Catherine said.

He shook his head. "I've got to teach you some bad habits."

"You already have," Catherine murmured.

He grinned at her and ordered a scotch and soda.

She studied him, thinking what a dear, sweet man he was. She was sure that she could make him very happy. And she would be happy married to him. Very happy, she told herself fiercely. Ask anybody. Ask Time magazine. She hated herself for the way her mind was working. What in God's name was wrong with her? "Bill," she began--and froze.

Larry Douglas was walking toward them, a smile of recognition on his lips as he saw Catherine. He was wearing his Army Air Corps uniform from Central Casting. She watched unbelievingly as he came over to their table, grinning happily. "Hello there," he said. But he was not speaking to Catherine. He was speaking to Bill, who was getting up and shaking his hand.

"It's great to see you, Larry."

"It's good to see you, Bill."

Catherine stared at the two of them, her mind paralyzed, refusing to function.

Fraser was saying, "Cathy, this is Captain Lawrence Douglas. Larry, this is Miss Alexander--Catherine."

Larry Douglas was looking down at her, his dark eyes mocking her. "I can't tell you what a pleasure this is, Miss Alexander," he said solemnly.

Catherine opened her mouth to speak, but she suddenly realized there was nothing that she could say. Fraser was watching her, waiting for her to speak. All she could manage was a nod. She did not trust her voice.

"Will you join us, Larry?" Fraser asked.

Larry looked at Catherine and said modestly, "If you're sure I'm not intruding--"

"Certainly not. Sit down."

Larry took a seat next to Catherine.

"What would you like to drink?" Fraser asked.

"Scotch and soda," Larry replied.

"I'll have the same," Catherine said recklessly. "Make it a double."

Fraser looked at her in surprise. "I can't believe it."

"You said you wanted to teach me some bad habits," Catherine said. "I think I'd like to start now."