Melting Moments by Anna Goldsworthy

Author:Anna Goldsworthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Schwartz Books Pty. Ltd.

On the evening of the ball, Eva labours over her appearance, lining her huge, mournful eyes with kohl, and attaching a hairpiece and false eyelashes, so that even Granny remarks that she resembles a young Catherine Deneuve.

‘You do look lovely when you make the effort,’ Ruby agrees.

Eva just gazes back at her tragically, and Ruby feels a rush of impatience.

‘For heaven’s sake. You’re not a virgin sacrifice. No one’s asking you to marry him.’

‘How terribly reasonable of you.’

‘If he’s so jolly bad, hand him over to one of your friends and dance with someone else.’

But then Brendan Clutterbuck arrives with his mother, and the problem is immediately clear.

‘What a handsome, tall couple,’ enthuses Mrs Clutterbuck. ‘Smile at the camera, lovebirds!’

Brendan Clutterbuck grins like a labrador, clearly stupefied by his good fortune; Eva manages a coolish smile in his direction, which strikes Ruby as the epitome of grace.

After they leave, even Arthur seems remorseful.

‘I suppose not all blind dates can be as successful as ours.’

‘But darling,’ she says, exasperated. ‘We never even had a blind date. I was chaperoned that first night by Eddie Pickworth, if you recall.’

Arthur looks sceptical. ‘I have no recollection of any Eddie Pickworths. All I know is that I had an Essex sedan. I was very upper class, you see.’

‘And you frightened the wits out of me by talking about our future life!’

He laughs. ‘Didn’t take me long to make up my mind.’

‘Perhaps we should allow Eva to do the same.’

She urges him to go to bed, as she cannot imagine that Eva will be late, and sure enough, the girl arrives home just before ten, citing a headache. Ruby embraces her, overcome by repentance – From now on we will let you make up your own mind – but Eva draws back, smelling of cigarettes. How quickly your children abandon you; how soon they become unknowable. A tear springs from her eye, and plashes onto Eva’s neck. Just the pollen, darling, she murmurs, and dabs it away.

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