It begins to dawn – with flowers
Several times now Jessie, our proper secretary, had become aware of those little nuances that lovers have when they signal, albeit unconsciously, the language of mutual attraction that passes between couples. She also became aware, with all the small signals - the eye movements, facial expressions, the lilt of his voice - that Mark, charming and courteous as he was towards her, was in fact letting his attentions drift increasingly towards Eve and that he would spend more time engaged with her in small conversations and banalities.
On one occasion, recognising the tell-tale signs of an imminent explosion signalled by Jessie's ill-humoured droop in the lines of her mouth - and knowing the dangerous extent of Jessie's inherent irresponsibility and anger, Eve
