Evelyn hesistated before she responded, happy that Jos was expanding more on her personal outlook on the world and reluctant to ruin their new level of intimacy. “I have to agree with you,” she said, thoughtfully. “I don’t know many people here, but, well, if I take Lilian as my example, she seems to be awfully focussed on living her life to the full, but then doesn’t seem at all happy. When no one’s looking, that is. She’d never let on, of course.”
“You’re a perceptive woman, Evelyn Hopkins,” Jos said.
Evelyn warmed at the admiration in her tone. To be appreciated for her insights into the world was not something she was very used to. She enjoyed the way she felt comfortable talking with Jos, and even more, she enjoyed the idea that Jos understood her, valued her thoughts.
“I don’t know if I am,” Evelyn said. “I’m really just saying what I see.”
“But not everyone would see it.” Jos held her gaze.
Evelyn was aware of Jos’s mind working behind the piercing eyes. What was she thinking? She ached to know more of Jos’s thoughts.
“It’s refreshing to talk to someone like you, Evie. And I don’t mean that I see you as some sort of novelty. It’s not just that you’re not from London and you don’t live the fashionable high life. Those are part of it, but it’s also something about you that I can’t quite put my finger on. You remind me that there are people in the world who see things the way I do.” As soon as she finished, a tension came into Jos’s expression, as though she was scared she had said too much.
Evelyn searched her mind for the appropriate words to both reassure her and let her know how touched she was by what Jos had said, how much she was beginning to feel the same connection between them.
“I’m really happy to have met you too,” she said in the end. “I feel more comfortable talking with you than anyone I’ve met so far. I mean, Lilian and James have been kind, and I’m getting on well with Dorothy. But I feel like I can talk to you, without pretending anything.” She smiled, her heart beating heavily, as though she had just confessed something of great importance.
Jos smiled and Evelyn felt sure her words had had the effect she had hoped. Then a shadow came over her expression and she looked away, back towards the door, as if trying to work out if she should bring their encounter to an end.
“I appreciate it,” Jos said. “Really. Though you don’t really know me.”
“Not yet,” Evelyn said, and saw a flicker of intrigue in Jos’s eyes. “I hope to know you more.”
Jos appeared to reflect for a moment, then make a decision. “What are you doing this evening?”
A little startled, Evelyn paused. “Nothing,” she replied, “why?”
“Will Lilian mind if you’re not home for dinner?”
Evelyn felt a flash of irritation at the notion she had to ask Lilian’s opinion but also a growing sense of anticipation. What was Jos going to propose? “It’s not really any of her concern. Besides, I think she said she might be out this evening and I’d sooner not have dinner with James, alone.” The prospect remained uncomfortable in the extreme.
“Then have dinner with me,” Jos said quickly. “And then come to a house party with me. It’s at Clara and Courtney’s flat.”
Evelyn was briefly taken aback, though delighted. Suddenly she was aware that it was a rather large step from a day trip behind the scenes at the theatre to spending an evening with Jos and her friends. Still, it was an indication that Jos wanted to know Evelyn further and Evelyn could not deny that the temptation of a whole evening with Jos was too much to resist. She did not know where it would lead, but it was a chance she had to take. Besides, she was intrigued to see what a house party hosted by Clara and Courtney would be like. She’d heard several references to infamous house parties of all kinds since she’d been in Mayfair and to be invited to one was rather exciting.
Jos was still looking at her, her expectant smile starting to fade. “Of course, if you don’t want to…” The disappointment was clear in her tone.
“No, sorry, I was just surprised.” Evelyn smiled broadly, to reassure Jos. “I’d love to, thank you.”
Evelyn watched the pleasure spread over Jos’s face and was fairly sure she shared that happy expression. It felt as though they’d made another step forward in an unspoken understanding which could surely only have one destination.
Chapter Thirteen
As she walked by Evelyn’s side along Shaftesbury Avenue, Jos felt a sense of pride to be seen with this bright, beautiful woman. It was not something she’d felt in any of her relationships, she realised. It was less a judgement of the women she’d been with and more a reflection on her own sense of being disconnected from them, even when walking arm in arm. Although she’d known Evelyn such a short time, she felt a sense of togetherness with her, a sense of being in the same place in the world. Of course, that was rather ludicrous, since she could not really have been much more different from Evelyn. But something like that wasn’t really about where you came from or what was happening in your life. It was about understanding on a certain level, a feeling of connection and oneness of outlook. She felt this with Evelyn, and the sense only grew stronger with every conversation they had, every opinion that was shared.
Evelyn seemed relaxed as they headed for the restaurant she’d suggested for their evening meal. Jos wondered what was going through her mind. Was she relaxed, her naiveté preventing the suggestion of what could happen as the result of this evening? Or did she know full well what she
