The bartender waved for jenny to join them. A slim, short, dark, not unattractive girl, she winked at William and walked towards him swinging her Iiips.
'Looking for me, darling? Well, I am available, but I charge ten dollars for half an hour.'
'No, I don't want you,'said William.
:Charming,'said Jenny.
I'm looking for the man who's been with you, Matthew - I mean Martin.'
'Martin, he was too drunk even to get it up with the help of a crane, darling, but he paid his ten dollars, he always does. A real gentleman!
'Where is he now?' asked William impatiently.
'I don't know, he gave it up as a bad job and started walking home.'
William ran into the street. The cold air hit him, not that he needed to be awakened. He drove his car slowly away from the club, following the route towards Matthew's flat, looking carefully at each person he passed. Some hurried on when they saw his watchful eyes; others tried to engage him in conversation. When he was passing an all - night cafe, he caught sight of Matthew through the steamy window, weaving his way through the tables with a cup in his hand. William parked the car, went in and sat down beside him. Matthew had slumped on to the table next to a cup of untouched spilt coffee. He was so drunk that he didn't even recognise William.
'Matthew, it's me,' said William, looking at the crumpled man. The tears started to run down his cheeks.
Matthew looked up and spilled some more of his coffee. 'You're crying, old fellow. Lost your girl, have you?" 'No, my closest friend,' said William.
'Ah, they're much harder to come by.'
'I know,' said William, 'I have a good friend,' said Matthew, slurring his words. 'He's always stood by me until we quarrelled for the first time today. My fault though. You see I've let him down rather badly.'
'No you haven't,'said William.
'How can you know?' said Matthew angrily. 'You're not even fit to know him.'
'Let's go home, Matthew!
'My name is Martin,' said Matthew.
'I'm sorry, Martin, let's go home.'
'No, I want to stay here. T'here's this girl who may come by later. I think I'm ready for her now.'
'I have some fine old malt whisky at my house,' said William. 'Why don't you join me?'
'Any women at your place?,'
'Yes, plenty of thern.'
'You're on, I'll come.'
William hoisted Matthew up and put his arm under his shoulder, guiding him slowly through the cafe towards the door. It was the first time he'd ever realised how heavy Matthew was. As they passed two policemen sitting at the comer of the counter, William heard one say to the other, 'God - daxnn fairie.s.'
He helped Matthew into the car and drove him back to Beacon Hill. Kate was waiting up for thern.
'You should have gone to bed, darling!
'I couldn't sleep,'she replied.
'I'm afraid hes nearly incoherent!
'Is this the girl you promised me?' said Matthew.
'Yes, she'll take care of you,' said William, and he and Kate helped him up to the guest room and put him on the bed. Kate started to undress him.
'You must undress as well, darling,' he said. 'I've already paid my ten dollars!
'When you're in bed,' said Kate lightly.
'Why are you looking so sad, beautiful ladyT said Matthew.
'Because I love you,' said Kate, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
'Don't cry,' said Matthew, 'there's nothing to cry about. I'll manage it this time, you'll sec.'
When they had undressed Matthew, William covered him with a sheet and a blanket. Kate turned the light out.
'You promised you'd come to bed with me,' said Matthew~ drowsily.
She closed the door quietly.
William slept on a chair outside Matthew's room for fear he might wake up in the night and try to leave. Kate woke him in the morning before taking some breakfast into Matthew.
'What am I doing here, Kate?' - were Matthew's first words.
'You came back with us after Andrew MacKenzie's party last night,' replied Kate rather feebly.
'No, I didn't. I went to the In and Out with that awful girl, Patricia something or other, who refused to come in with me. God, I feel lousy.
Can I have a tornato juice? I don't want to be unsociable, but the last thing I need is breakfast!
'Of course, Matthew.'
William came~in. Matthew looked up at him - They stared at each other in silence.