“Thank you,” Evelyn said. “I know it’s important to Jos that it’s a secret for now.”
“And you’re not sure you understand that, I assume,” Vernon replied, with startling accuracy.
“Something like that,” Evelyn said, curious what he would say.
Vernon took her arm and pulled her a few steps further toward the back of the room, where there was no way they would be overheard. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand, Evie. But Jos is mostly protecting you. You see, people don’t approve. Even in terribly modern establishments like this, people still stare at Jos and her friends from time to time. In the wicked world outside, you should hear what people say. I imagine Jos would hate for you to hear such things about yourself. Additionally, of course, Jos is always scared of what is waiting around the corner for her. She’s been that way since our parents died. Never wants to commit to anything in case she loses it, in the way she lost our parents. Did she tell you about them—how it was a Zeppelin raid that took them?”
Evelyn nodded. Jos had told her, in the briefest of terms. Evelyn had not liked to press the matter further.
“Yes, she’ll tell people that we lost them but not that she was at home at the time, that she’s blamed herself ever since. That she’s terrified she’ll lose everything good that comes her way.”
“But she won’t lose me,” Evelyn protested, moved by Vernon’s words and wishing Jos was here herself, so she could reassure her.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Vernon said. “But it’s not really about what she thinks you will or won’t do. It’s that she thinks, if she commits to something—like telling people that you and she are a couple—she puts herself in danger of losing it.”
“That’s no way to live your life,” Evelyn said, feeling sadness on Jos’s behalf.
“No. But then which of us really can say we live an exemplary life?” Vernon returned with a shrug. “I certainly can’t, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
Evelyn remembered his casual relationship with Lilian and who knew how many other women. She remembered Dorothy’s warnings about Vernon. Perhaps he was affected by the same feelings as Jos; perhaps that was why he could articulate them so clearly.
“I suppose so,” Evelyn replied. “I didn’t mean to sound judgemental. I just meant that it must be very hard for Jos to be happy.”
“We all find our ways, Evie. She’s been particularly cheerful these last few days. I even caught her whistling a tune to herself.”
“She has?” Evelyn felt a surge of optimism. If Vernon had noticed Jos seeming happy, then that was a good sign.
“Oh, most definitely. I can’t think what’s brought it on.” Vernon’s implication was very clearly that Evelyn was the cause of Jos’s good cheer. “She’s so happy it’s almost sickening to her cynical reprobate brother.”
“Well, I’m sorry about that,” Evelyn said with a smile.
“I can cope. Anyway, we could make conversation all day but I understand we’ll meet again at Christmas. How can I help you today? Not drinking on your own?”
“No,” Evelyn replied. “I was actually looking for Jos. I just wanted to talk to her.”
“She’s at work until this evening. She did say she might pop by before she goes home. Would you like me to pass a message to her?”
Evelyn thought for a moment. “Do you have a pencil and paper I can borrow?”
“Of course. Step into my lair for a moment. I promise I won’t bite.” Vernon opened a back door and ushered her into a small office space. There was a desk with a chair behind it and several chests of drawers. She assumed it was where Vernon completed the necessary bueraucracy and accounting involved in running his establishment. He went behind the desk and found her a piece of cream writing paper and handed her his fountain pen.
“Thank you,” Evelyn said, taking the pen. She thought for a moment, then wrote: Jos, I came to see if you were at home or with Vernon, just to say hello because I was missing you. I will see you in a few days, at Christmas. I’m really looking forward to it. Evie.
The note seemed rather cold and formal, but she thought it was better to leave a note than nothing at all. At least now Jos would have something in her own words. She like the notion that it would give Jos pause, a moment of thinking about her. She folded the paper and handed it to Vernon. “If you wouldn’t mind giving that to her, I’d really appreciate it,” she said.
“Of course, my dear. No trouble at all.” Vernon stood aside so that Evelyn could leave his office.
She walked out into the cafe. “Thank you, Vernon,” she said, hoping she conveyed her gratitude for his understanding regarding Jos, not just for the gift of his stationery.
“Not at all, Evie. I will reclaim the favour at a time of my choosing, naturally.”
Evelyn smiled. It was impossible not to be amused by Vernon. “Of course,” she replied. “See you soon.” With that she turned and left the cafe, her thoughts full of the note she had left for Jos, the idea of Jos getting it and knowing Evelyn had come looking for her.
*
Jos called in to see Vernon on her way home from the theatre that evening. She was tired after a day in which it had seemed like everyone involved in the performance had thought of a question to ask her. Despite this, she realised she was feeling happy. She knew all too well that the source of that happiness was Evelyn and the prospect of seeing her again in just a few days.
The days were passing slowly. She had considered going to visit Evelyn in the interim, but she did not want to pressurise her into anything. Evelyn had never been in any kind of relationship, let alone
