Read Online Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - Free Book Online Page B

her turn arrived at the french windows. Seeing the two on the terrace she checked herself, watched them for a moment or two, then slowly turned away and went back into the house.
    II
    Upstairs Nevile had found Kay in her bedroom. The only large double bedroom in the house was Lady Tressilian’s. A married couple was always given the two rooms with the communicating door and a small bathroom beyond on the west side of the house. It was a small isolated suite.
    Nevile passed through his own room and on into his wife’s. Kay had flung herself down on her bed. Raising a tearstained face, she cried angrily:
    â€œSo you’ve come! About time, too!”
    â€œWhat is all this fuss about? Have you gone quite crazy, Kay?”
    Nevile spoke quietly, but there was a dent at the corner of his nostril that registered restrained anger.
    â€œWhy did you give that Illustrated Review to her and not to me?”
    â€œReally, Kay, you are a child! All this fuss about a wretched little picture paper.”
    â€œYou gave it to her and not to me,” repeated Kay obstinately.
    â€œWell, why not? What does it matter?”
    â€œIt matters to me.”
    â€œI don’t know what’s wrong with you. You can’t behave in this hysterical fashion when you’re staying in other people’s houses. Don’t you know how to behave in public?”
    â€œWhy did you give it to Audrey?”
    â€œBecause she wanted it.”
    â€œSo did I, and I’m your wife.”
    â€œAll the more reason, in that case, for giving it to an older woman and one who, technically, is no relation.”
    â€œShe scored off me! She wanted to and she did. You were on her side!”
    â€œYou’re talking like an idiotic jealous child. For goodness’ sake, control yourself, and try to behave properly in public!”
    â€œLike she does, I suppose?”
    Nevile said coldly: “At any rate Audrey can behave like a lady. She doesn’t make an exhibition of herself.”
    â€œShe’s turning you against me! She hates me and she’s getting her revenge.”
    â€œLook here, Kay, will you stop being melodramatic and completely foolish? I’m fed up!”
    â€œThen let’s go away from here! Let’s go tomorrow. I hate this place!”
    â€œWe’ve only been here four days.”
    â€œIt’s quite enough! Do let’s go, Nevile.”
    â€œNow look here, Kay, I’ve had enough of this. We came here for a fortnight and I’m going to stay for a fortnight.”
    â€œIf you do,” said Kay, “you’ll be sorry. You and your Audrey! You think she’s wonderful!”
    â€œI don’t think Audrey is wonderful. I think she’s an extremely nice and kindly person whom I’ve treated very badly and who has been most generous and forgiving.”
    â€œThat’s where you’re wrong,” said Kay. She got up from the bed. Her fury had died down. She spoke seriously—almost soberly.
    â€œAudrey hasn’t forgiven you, Nevile. Once or twice I’ve seen her looking at you…I don’t know what is going on in her mind but something is—She’s the kind that doesn’t let anyone know what they’re thinking.”
    â€œIt’s a pity,” said Nevile, “that there aren’t more people like that.”
    Kay’s face went very white.
    â€œDo you mean that for me?” There was a dangerous edge to her voice.
    â€œWell—you haven’t shown much reticence, have you? Every bit of ill temper and spite that comes into your mind you blurt straight out. You make a fool of yourself and you make a fool of me!”
    â€œAnything more to say?”
    Her voice was icy.
    He said in an equally cold tone:
    â€œI’m sorry if you think that was unfair. But it’s the plain truth. You’ve no more self-control than a child.”
    â€œYou never lose your temper, do you? Always the self-controlled