Sweet Sorrow by David Roberts Read Free Book Online

warmly.
    ‘We’re not disturbing you, I hope?’ Edward said.
    ‘Not at all. Leonard, ask Louie to bring us lemonade, unless you would prefer cider, Edward?’ He assured her that lemonade was just what he needed. ‘I have decided I am going to take up knitting,’ Virginia said unexpectedly. ‘I need something soothing to help me think.’
    When Mrs Everest came out with a jug of lemonade and glasses on a tray, Edward recognized her from when they had dined at Monk’s House.
    ‘Thank you for the excellent dinner we had the other night,’ he said. She beamed and Leonard looked pleased.
    When she had gone, he said, ‘I don’t think we could survive without Louie. She’s an excellent cook and also an active member of the local Labour Party. In fact, she’s secretary of the Rodmell branch which meets here.’
    Verity felt at peace as she sat beside Virginia in the sunshine, sipping lemonade and watching Edward and Leonard talking earnestly about politics. The peace was shattered by Mark Redel who came striding on to the lawn without any apology for intruding.
    ‘I’d like to kill that man,’ he fumed.
    ‘Which man, Mark?’ Virginia asked.
    ‘Byron, of course.’
    ‘Do sit down and cool off with a glass of lemonade, Mark. You look as though you are about to explode.’
    ‘I’m sorry but it really is the limit. He came round to my studio to ask if I would do a portrait of that girl of his, Frieda Burrowes. She’s a pretty thing but too thin – not really my type. Anyway, I said I wouldn’t do it and that he ought to be ashamed for carrying on with her behind his wife’s back. Then we had a row and he accused me of all sorts of absurd things – about Marjorie and Luke. He said she was right to leave me and that I was a failed artist . . . lots of silly stuff. I shouldn’t have done it but I called him a goat and a versifier, not a patch on Auden. I suppose I’d been thinking I wasn’t much good but it hurt to have it said by that man.’
    ‘I didn’t know you knew Frieda Burrowes,’ Leonard said.
    ‘In Highgate – we were a sort of group, I suppose. I was keen on her myself to tell the truth but she was hitched to another man – Lewis Cathcart – and I still had Marjorie. Frieda modelled for me and I think everyone, including Marjorie, thought I’d slept with her but I hadn’t. Oh God, why am I telling you all this?’
    ‘So what happened – I mean after your row? Is he still in your studio?’ Leonard asked.
    ‘No, he stormed out but not before he’d called me a lot of names, some of which I expect I deserve.’
    ‘How silly you boys are,’ Virginia said. ‘Now Mark, have you met our new neighbours, Edward and Verity Corinth?’
    ‘I have met Verity.’ Redel noticed Edward scowl. ‘Forgive me but your wife said I could call her that. I hope you don’t mind.’ He shook Edward’s hand energetically.
    Edward thought him rather bumptious but smiled and said that he didn’t mind and that Verity had been extolling his work. ‘She wants to buy one of your paintings – a self-portrait?’ he finished.
    ‘Only if you like it. You can’t live with a painting you don’t like. I have plenty of others. My last show wasn’t a success as I’m sure Adrian will have told you. Come over tomorrow and have a look if you’d like. As usual, I have no money but at least I’ve no longer got a wife and son to support,’ he added bitterly.
    He looked so miserable as he said this that Edward felt quite sorry for him but then wondered whether he was being manipulated. He had an idea that Redel was often sorry for himself and liked others to sympathize and make allowances for his erratic behaviour.
    ‘Now, what about a game of bowls?’ Leonard said. ‘Don’t look so surprised, Edward. Hasn’t anyone told you? I’m a demon bowls player and Virginia is quite good.’
    He laughed and looked at his wife affectionately. He went into the writing-room and came out with a box. ‘All right,