Basil moved off together.
After they had gone there was rather an awk-ward
silence. Mr. Parker Pyne did not like to
speak first. Betty Gregg was twisting her fingers
and looking out to sea. Mrs. Chester looked
flushed and angry.
Betty said: "Well, what do you think of our
new acquisition in Pollensa Bay?" Her voice was
not quite steady.
Mr. Parker Pyne said cautiously:
"A little--er--exotic."
"Exotic?" Betty gave a short bitter laugh.
Mrs. Chester said: "She's terrible--terrible.
Basil must be quite mad."
Betty said sharply: "Basil's all right."
"Her toenails," said Mrs. Chester with a shiver
of nausea.
Betty rose suddenly.
"I think, Mrs. Chester, I'll go home and not
stay to dinner after all."
"Oh, my dear--Basil will be so disappointed."
"Will he?" asked Betty with a short laugh.
"Anyway, I think I will. I've got rather a head-ache."
She smiled at them both and went off. Mrs.
Chester turned to Mr. Parker Pyne.
"I wish we had never come to this place--never!"
Mr. Parker Pyne shook his head sadly.
"You shouldn't have gone away," said Mrs.
Chester. "If you'd been here this wouldn't have
happened."