The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell Read Free Book Online Page B

dear. I’ve simply told you the truth.”
    She didn’t say any more. Hugo didn’t say anything. And suddenly Duncan felt most uncomfortable. Their condemnatory faces, the way they both seemed to shrink away from him, was almost too much for him. His heart began to pound and he had to tell himself that a racing heart meant nothing, that it was pain and not palpitations he must fear. He reached for one of his little white pills ostentatiously, hoping they would notice what they had done to him.
    When still they didn’t speak, he said, “I think perhaps I should go now.”
    “But you haven’t had coffee,” said Elizabeth.
    “Just the same, it might be better…”
    “Please stay and have coffee,” she said firmly, almost sternly, and then she forced a smile. “I insist.”
    Back in the sitting room they offered him brandy. He refused it because he had to drive home, and the sooner he could begin that drive the happier he would be. Hugo had a large brandy, which he drank at a gulp, the way brandy should never be drunk unless one had had a shock or were steeling oneself for something. Elizabeth had picked up the evening paper and was talking in a very artificial way about a murder case which appeared on the front page.
    “I really must go,” said Duncan.
    “Have some more coffee? It’s not ten yet.”
    Why did they want him to stay? Or, rather, why did she? Hugo was once more busy with the brandy bottle. He would have thought his company must be as tiresome to them as theirs was to him. They had got what they wanted, hadn’tthey? He drank his second cup of coffee so quickly that it scalded his mouth and then he got up.
    “I’ll get an umbrella. I’ll come out with you,” said Hugo.
    “Thank you.” It was over. He was going to make his escape and he need never see them again. And suddenly he felt that he wouldn’t be able to get out of that house fast enough. Really, since he had made his little speech, the atmosphere had been thoroughly disagreeable. “Good night, Elizabeth,” he said. What platitudes could he think of that weren’t too ludicrous? “Thank you for the meal. Perhaps we may meet again some day.”
    “I hope we shall and soon, Duncan,” she said, but she didn’t give him her cheek. Through the open door the rain was driving in against her long skirt. She stood there, watching him go out with Hugo, letting the light pour out to guide them round the corner of the house.
    As soon as he was round that corner, Duncan felt an unpleasant jerk of shock. His car lights were blazing, full on.
    “How did I come to do a thing like that?”
    “I suppose you left them on to see your way to the door,” said Hugo, “and then forgot them.”
    “I’m sure I did
not.”
    “You must have. Hold the umbrella and I’ll try the ignition.” Leaving Duncan on the flooded path under the inadequate umbrella, Hugo got into the driving seat and inserted the ignition key. Duncan watched him, stamping his feet impatiently. “Not a spark,” said Hugo. “Your battery’s flat.”
    “It
can’t
be.”
    “I’m afraid it is. Try for yourself.”
    Duncan tried, getting very wet in the process.
    “We’d better go back in the house. We’ll get soaked out here.”
    “What’s the matter?” said Elizabeth, who was still standing in the doorway.
    “His battery’s flat. The car won’t start.”
    Of course it wasn’t their fault but somehow Duncan felt it was. It had happened, after all, at their house, to which theyhad fetched him for a disgraceful purpose. He didn’t bother to soften his annoyance. “I’m afraid I’ll just have to borrow your car, Hugo.”
    Elizabeth closed the door. “We don’t have a car any more. We couldn’t afford to run it. It was either keeping a car or taking the boys away from school, so we sold it.”
    “I see. Then if I might just use your phone, I’ll ring for a hire car. I’ve a mini-cab number in my wallet.” One look at her face told him that wasn’t going to be