Vanessa & Virginia: a Novel by Susan Sellers

Author:Susan Sellers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Duncan and I are in London for one of Maynard’s suppers. He waves to us as we enter the restaurant and points to two empty seats at the far end of the table. We seat ourselves obediently on either side of a tall, powerfully built young man. I feel ostracized from Duncan and wish that I could alter my place. Maynard makes a speech to welcome us, then Lytton tells a lewd joke and we all shriek with laughter. The young man does not join in, I notice. He is nervous and fiddles awkwardly with his knife. I am not the only one to observe his shyness. Duncan strikes up a conversation with him, intended to put him at his ease. I sip my champagne, trying not to mind my exclusion. I overhear the young man say that though his name is David his friends call him Bunny. That night he and Duncan become lovers.

I make my own way back to the house. Sitting in the cab, I do not know what I feel. I picture the two men in bed together, mouths opening in mutual hunger, hands ripping at unwanted clothes. I wind my shawl more tightly across my shoulders and rest my head on the window, glad of its solidity. I feel old and alone, an unwelcome intruder on my children’s play. The cab slows to a stop and I open the door and climb out. I pay the driver his fare and let myself into the house. Then I go upstairs and lie on the bed without bothering to undress. All I can do now is wait for sleep.

The persistent ringing of the doorbell wakes me. I open my eyes and am astonished to see sunlight flooding through the window. I raise myself onto my elbows and stare in dismay at my evening dress and boots. Then I remember. Before I have time to sift through my feelings, I hear a voice and the sound of visitors being shown into the hall. I hear protests, explanations, footsteps on the stairs. Finally a knock on my door. I am given no opportunity to reply. Duncan bursts into the room, his smile radiant, and settles himself on my bed. Bunny follows sheepishly in his wake. My anger boils to the surface. Duncan leans over and covers my protests with kisses. Soon I am smiling too. Then we are cradling each other and laughing, and I know that despite what has happened nothing can destroy our bond. Duncan reaches out his arm and pulls Bunny onto the bed beside us.

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