Why Aren't They Screaming? by Joan Smith Read Free Book Online

staying here and making a fuss, they’re going to have to expect a backlash. After all, we’ve lived with the base for years, since the last war in fact, and we know the Americans are here for our protection as much as theirs.’
    â€˜Now wait a minute –’ Here began to speak but was interrupted.
    â€˜The trouble with you, Clara,’ Gilbert pressed on, ‘is you’ve suddenly changed your tune and you want everyone else to do the same. The worst bigots are always the ones who’ve just seen the light. You were quite happy to live next door to the base until last month.’
    â€˜Exactly.
’ Clara pounced. ‘And what happened last month? These so-called
allies
of ours, these people who are here to defend democracy, they suddenly took off and bombed a country we’re not even at war with! Didn’t you see the pictures on the news, all those women and children in hospital in Tripoli? It was planes from here, from Dunstow, that did that!’
    â€˜Maybe it was a mistake,’ Gilbert conceded in the most reasonable of tones. ‘But we’re talking with hindsight. And it doesn’t change the essential point – that the Americans are here to defend us from the Russians.’
    â€˜The
Russians.
’ Peggy joined in unexpectedly. ‘I’m sick of hearing about the
Russians.
You people’ – she looked accusingly at Gilbert – ‘you people always dress it up in long words, but what it’s about is our kids. Is there gonna be a world for them to grow up in, or are we supposed to sit here and watch it get blown apart? Those blokes over there’ – she gestured, presumably in the direction of the base – ‘if they can bomb one place we’re not at war with, they can bomb another. I don’t want my kid to die ‘cause the Americans decide to attack Russia. They’re welcome to their atom bombs and their missiles – if they like them so much why don’t they keep them in America? Sorry,’ she said suddenly, casting an embarrassed look at Here as though she had just remembered his accent. ‘I didn’t mean anything personal.’
    â€˜Don’t worry,’ said Here. ‘I used to be in the US navy, but as it happens I agree with you. In fact–’
    At this moment the door opened and the last guest appeared. Loretta’s first thought, apart from her regret that the discussion had been interrupted at so interesting a point, was that Robert had, like her, changed for dinner; he was wearing a baggy grey suit and a very cheerful tie. It was a much more fashionable outfit than she’d expected of him.
    â€˜Dear Robert, last as usual!’ Clara was on her feet; Robert crossed the room to kiss her cheek.
    â€˜All in the cause of world peace,’ he said innocently, stepping back and looking for a vacant seat.
    â€˜Peace?’ Clara sat down, a perplexed look on her face.
    â€˜Why yes. I loaned my car to Imo in the service of thepeace camp. So I had to wait for the storm to pass before I could walk over.’
    His gentle irony seemed to pass over Clara’s head. ‘Darling, don’t forget to give Robert back his keys,’ she said instantly. ‘Let me introduce Loretta–’
    â€˜We’ve met,’ said Robert, inclining his head in Loretta’s direction.
    â€˜And Peggy. Thanks for the commode, by the way. It’s very much appreciated. Now, everybody, let’s eat. Into the hall, please.’
    They filed obediently out of the room after Clara, bunching uncomfortably near the front door while they waited for instructions on where to sit. Loretta rather hoped she’d find herself next to Ellie or Here, both of whom had aroused her curiosity. Instead, she was dispatched to the far end of the table by Clara, who suddenly declared that Loretta was that night’s guest of honour. Robert and Gilbert were sent to sit on either side of her.