Chapter ThirteenRachel got back to find that she had missed Mrs Barber by a comfortable margin. Ella, meeting her in the hall, remarked on how unfortunate this was.
‘Away yesterday, out today. I only hope, Rachel, that she won’t think you want to avoid her. Of course quite ridiculous, because she is such an exceptionally interesting and charming person, and I know she particularly wanted to talk to you about slum clearance.’
Cosmo Frith, emerging from the study, demanded why any human being should imagine that any other human being should want to talk about slums. He slipped an arm through Rachel’s and kissed her on the cheek.
‘Well, my dear, I needn’t ask how you are. You look fine. And who was the cavalier? Wouldn’t he stay to lunch—or didn’t you ask him? I thought he looked pretty we
