Lady - Here's Your Wreath by James Hadley Chase

Author:James Hadley Chase
Format: epub
Publisher: Munsey's

CHAPTER TWELVE

BY THE TIME ACKIE and I got round to Hughson's place the party was well under way.

There were eight couples crammed into his small room and the air was thick with smoke. Everyone was drinking as hard as they could put it down and everyone was smoking.

There was a general shout when Ackie edged his way in. Most people got a laugh when they saw him. He got rid of his hat and coat and grabbed a bottle of Scotch.

Hughson came over to me and shook hands. “This is a bum party, Nick,” he said apologetically. “But I'm glad you've come.”

He led me round the room, introducing me. Most of the Globe guys were there and five stream-lined dames. They all looked so good I had to remark about it. Hughson explained they were from The Moon and the Fiddle, a musical that was running at the Plaza.

He got me settled down with a redhead and a glass of Scotch-and-soda in my hand, and then he went off to do the host with Ackie. Not that Ackie wasn't looking after himself.

The redhead was pretty tight and giggled a lot. She told me her name was Dawn Murray. When I asked what her real name was she giggled a lot more but wouldn't tell me.

These parties always go the same way. Everyone gets plastered and talks about nothing and laughs when there's nothing to laugh about. I guess it's just an excuse to get tight.

Dawn started talking about books. This surprised me because I thought she wouldn't bother about reading. She'd just finished Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath.

“Now I bet that guy knows what he's writing about,” she said. “I bet he lived in those camps. That's the most marvellous book I've ever read.”

A tall, lanky guy who I didn't know, and whose name I hadn't caught when I was introduced, pricked up his ears when he heard that and came over. He'd read it too, so I guess they were soul-mates. I got up quietly and left them to it.

The certain sign that a party is going well is when the people start going into the kitchen. I thought I'd have a look and see if any one had got there yet. I drifted in and found a couple with their arms around each other and their faces glued together.

That told me the party was going all right.

“If she bites you, I'll give you the verdict,” I said.

The fellow prised himself loose. “I bet your ma thinks you're a scream,” he said coldly.

Not so good. I went back to the sitting-room. Dawn and the lanky guy had exhausted Steinbeck and were sitting playing handies.

Someone started the gramophone and everyone broke up into couples to dance. There was no room for much movement, but so long as they'd got their arms round a girl and could shuffle their feet a yard or two, they didn't care.

I was content to sit in an armchair and watch them. Hughson came over after a little while and sat on the arm of my chair.

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