§ 9
Teddy Winterton appeared wading through obstructive seated people. His eye was fixed on Christina Alberta. “Hullo!” said Lambone in not too cordial greeting, and glanced at Christina Alberta and back at the new-comer.
Teddy struggled for an unoccupied chair over which some lady had thrown a sealskin coat, and captured it with profuse apologies to the owner of the cloak and squeezed it in at the end of the table between Harold and Fay, who barred his way to Christina Alberta. “Have pity on a lonely man,” he said genially and tried to catch the eye of Christina Alberta.
“You shall have one glass of champagne,” said Lambone with a slightly forced welcome in his tone.
“How do, Christina Alberta!” said Teddy forcing her attention.
Christina Alberta turned to Fay. “Will you come back with me now,” she said to her, “back to the flat? I must do that telephoning to the hospitals now or it won’t be done.”
Fay looked at her curiously. “It’s serious,” said Christina Alberta’s eyes, and Fay stood up and struggled with her coat. Teddy leaped to his feet to assist her. Christina Alberta had not removed her cloak, and was ready. “I say, Christina Alberta,” said Teddy. “I want a word with you.”
“Go on, Fay,” said Christina Alberta, giving her friend a little dig in the back and pretending not to hear him.
Teddy followed them out to the Piccadilly pavement. “Just a word,” he said. Fay was for standing a little way off, but Christina Alberta would not let that happen.
“I don’t want a word,” she said.
“But I might help you.”
“You might have done. But it’s too late. I never want to see you again.”
“Give a fellow a chance.”
“You’ve had your chance. And tried to take it.”
“You might at least keep up appearances,” said Teddy.
“Damn appearances!” said Christina Alberta. “Oh! Come on, Fay.”
She gripped her friend’s arm.
Teddy was left hovering. He hesitated and then went back into the café to rejoin Crumb and Lambone.
The two young women went on in silence for a little while.
“Anything up?” Fay ventured.
“Everything’s up,” said Christina Alberta. “I wonder if there’s a ghost of a chance of finding Daddy at the studio.”
They made their way to Chelsea without much further conversation. Fay had never before seen Christina Alberta looking tired.
When Fay opened the door Christina Alberta pushed in past her. “Daddy!” she cried in the dark passage. “Daddy!”
Fay clicked on the light. “No,” said Christina Alberta. “Of course he’s not here. He’s gone. Fay! What am I to do?”
Fay’s pale blue eyes became rounder. Christina Alberta, the valiant, the modern, was in tears.
“There’s the hospitals,” said Fay, doing her best to be brisk and cheerful.