The Tennis Party by Sophie Kinsella, Madeleine Wickham Page B

at Caroline, ‘and she’s supposed to hide a little surprise under one’s nightie. That’s what my mother always did.’
    ‘Then she was a mug,’ said Caroline. ‘As soon as Georgina’s in the senior school she’s doing her own trunk, or it doesn’t get done. Anyway, she’s much better than me at that kind of thing. I can’t understand how she turned out so bloody efficient.’ They both looked at Georgina, busily picking up tennis balls.
    ‘So she’s going to stay on at St Catherine’s?’ said Annie. Caroline shrugged.
    ‘We had a bit of a look round other senior schools, but there didn’t seem any point moving her. It’s alovely school, she can take her pony there, the staff seem OK – a bit snotty maybe, but, you know, all right basically. And she knows the place.’
    ‘It is a lovely school,’ agreed Annie. ‘I remember visiting it once, when Nicola was tiny.’
    ‘Really?’ Caroline looked surprised.
    ‘We always meant to send her to a private school’, said Annie, ‘when she was eight or so. We thought that would give us time to get the fees together. Toby, too.’ She shrugged. ‘Things didn’t work out quite as we planned. First the stroke – then Stephen going back to his doctorate.’
    ‘How much longer does he have with that thing? He’s been doing it for bloody ages.’ Annie shrugged.
    ‘Depends how it goes. Another year, perhaps two.’
    ‘Christ, I don’t know how you put up with it. I couldn’t. I mean, no job, no money – I’d go crazy.’
    ‘Well, he still teaches a bit,’ said Annie, ‘and I do proofreading when I have the time. It’s not so bad, really. And with no mortgage on the house and no school fees – you know, we can keep our outgoings quite low.’ Caroline shuddered.
    ‘Rather you than me. Can’t you persuade Stephen to get a job again, give up this degree?’
    ‘It’s what he wants to do,’ said Annie firmly.
    There was a noise behind them and they both looked round. Cressida had come down the path tothe tennis court and stood, watching the girls playing tennis. As they turned, she seemed to wobble slightly. Her face was drained of blood and her smile appeared artificial.
    ‘Hello, Cressida,’ said Annie cautiously. She hesitated, and then added, ‘Are you all right? I mean, do you feel OK?’
    ‘You look terrible,’ said Caroline, bluntly. ‘Must be too much sun. Here, sit down.’ She drew up a chair and patted it invitingly. ‘Have some Pimm’s. Or do you want something stronger?’
    ‘If you’ve had too much sun, perhaps you shouldn’t have any alcohol,’ said Annie.
    ‘Is it the sun?’ Caroline peered closely at Cressida’s face. ‘Hang on a minute. Do you feel sick? Is there any chance you could be . . . ?’ Cressida gazed at her uncomprehendingly. ‘You know, pregnant,’ said Caroline impatiently. ‘Are you? Tell me quick before I pour out all this lovely booze and you say you can’t drink it.’ Cressida exhaled sharply.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ she said slowly, ‘I can drink all I like.’
    ‘Attagirl,’ said Caroline approvingly. She gave Cressida an appraising look as she poured out the drink. ‘There, now you relax and take it easy,’ she said. ‘I always thought playing tennis was a bad idea. Why not just have people round for the weekend? That’swhat I wanted to know. But Patrick insisted on this stupid tournament and now the whole thing seems to have turned into bloody Wimbledon.’
    ‘That’s hardly fair,’ protested Annie. ‘We’ve only had two matches. And I like playing tennis. What about you, Cressida?’ she said, turning to Cressida in a friendly manner. ‘You’re really good. You must enjoy it.’
    ‘What?’ said Cressida, looking up distractedly. ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear you.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Annie, glancing at Caroline.
    ‘Hello, you lot, all sitting around doing nothing?’ It was Patrick, beaming and jovial and smelling of cigars. Behind him was Stephen, looking