“Do you like analysing people?”
“It passes the time.”
“Is that a main concern of yours?”
“Well, not really,” she said. “It passes itself, without our assistance. It has the knack.”
“I’m in love with you,” Colin said.
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, yes,” he insisted. “Absolutely true. Do you believe in love at first sight?”
“That’s academic,” Isabel said. “This is not first sight.”
“But I have been in love with you, since the first week. Tell me, do you believe in it?”
“I don’t think I believe in love at any sight,” she said grimly.
Colin’s face fell. “That’s a terrible shame. A terrible admission. For a young woman.” He took thought. “Another gin?”
“Please.”
“With tonic?”
“With tonic.”
“Look, you must feel my pulse,” he said. “Go on, feel it. My pulse-rate’s sky-high.”
“I don’t know.” She ignored his hand. “I don’t know anything about pulse-rates.”
“Am I embarrassing you?”
“No.”
“I thought I might be embarrassing you.”
“Do I look embarrassed?”
“No, I must admit, you look quite calm. I had to say all this, I hope you understand why. I couldn’t have lived with it for another week. To tell the truth, I can’t stand seeing you only once a week. Will you meet me some other night?”
“Where?”
He was aghast. “You will?”
She gave him a level stare. “I didn’t say whether I would or not, I said ‘Where?’”
“Wherever you like. I’ll collect you. I’ll pick you up. Where do you live?”
“I’ll write down my address.”
“Have you got a pen?”
“Of course,” she said, “I have a pen.” She took a small pad out of her bag, scribbled her address, and handed him the leaf. He put it in his wallet. His face showed disbelief.
“I live with my father,” she said.
“Do you? I didn’t think…”
“Why not?”
“I imagined you having a flat somewhere. With other girls. You know. To be honest I’m glad. I couldn’t see myself calling at a flat for you. I wouldn’t like to, you know, present myself.”
“You don’t think you’re presentable?”
“What about your mother, is she…?”
“Dead.”
“Sorry. Will you introduce me to your father?”
“I don’t think you’d have much in common. He’s old…he’s retired. He was a bank manager. He has hobbies.”
“Oh yes?”
“Early railways. Numismatics. Military history.”
Colin smiled. “I’ll have to take some more evening classes.”
“I’d rather you didn’t meet.”
“Would he disapprove of you…going out with me?”
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine what his opinion would be.”
“Aren’t you close?”
“We lead our own lives.”
“Isn’t it a bit dull, living at home?”
“No. It’s not dull.” She leaned forward. “So, Colin, am I right? Are you discontented?”
