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'How are you getting on with Luke? You haven't told him about my screen test, have you?' Baba gave her a vivid smile, quite certain that she hadn't but reminding her of her promise. 'I've rung him every night to tell him how much I've missed him. I could tell he didn't know. '
Judith poured herself some coffee; she was in that halcyon state which follows migraine when you feel very calm and clear and nothing bothers you.
'It felt funny when I got off the plane at Heathrow and saw so many pale people; everyone in California is so suntanned. On the beach you see such gorgeous-looking men: Americans are so keen on keeping fit and getting brown. Luke spends too much time in the office, I'll have to coax him out into the fresh air. We could have such a good time over there, and after all, he's American; most of his business is over there, but he lives in New York or Vermont and the weather isn't half so good there. I like to get down on the beach.'
'With all the gorgeous men?' Judith enquired, and got a wicked look in response to that.
Baba laughed. 'Don't be naughty—that's not what I meant at all, although if you saw them, Judith…rippling muscles and lovely golden skin...fantastic! If I get this part I'll have to spend a lot of time there, anyway. Everyone lives in California.'
'Everyone?' Judith queried drily.
'Who matters,' Baba expanded. 'There's no reason why Luke shouldn't spend half the year there; it's no further from New York than London.'
'Have you suggested it yet?'
Baba looked at her pityingly. 'Of course not; I haven't mentioned it. If I don't get this part there wouldn't be any point.'
'No, of course, silly of me.' Judith looked at her soberly. 'Baba, if you don't get the part what will you do?'
Baba shrugged. 'Have a baby, I expect—that's what Luke wants, and if I'm not going into films I might as well give up modelling and start a family right away. Of course, I'd like children later on if I do get the part, but I'd have to put it off for a year or two.' She poured herself some more coffee; under the pure silk dress her curved body moved with tigerish grace, Judith could see exactly how she would come over on celluloid, it would be a pity if she missed the chance, and she said so impulsively.
'Oh, darling, do you really think so?' Baba was neon-lit with delight. 'I'll die, you know, absolutely die if I don't get this part!'
'I doubt it, Baba,' Judith said gently. |
'Well, of course, you wouldn't understand…' Baba said impatiently. 'I know this is for me.' She slid a hand under her blonde curls, lifting them in a restless gesture, her body arched in yearning like a woman aching for a lover. 'I know it is!'
'Well, I hope you get what you want,' said Judith, watching her.
'Ruth thinks I'm crazy,' Baba confided suddenly.
'She doesn't understand, either. She'd always choose a man rather than a career; you're not that stupid. Aren't I right, Judith? I mean, I'm no rabid feminist, I adore men, personally, I couldn't live without them, but I'd stifle if I had to live like Ruth. David's a sweetie and I'm very fond of him, but it would be ghastly to be stuck in a house all day with housework and shopping and kids.' She was very earnest now, leaning forward on the couch, her beautiful face alight as she talked and the vivid yellow shimmer of her silk dress reflecting the lamp light.
'It depends what you want out of life,' conceded Judith. She couldn't fault Baba's reasoning; if a career was what she really wanted who had the right to criticise her? 'But what about Luke?' She had to force; his name out, she hoped her voice and face did not betray anything to Baba.
Baba made an anguished face; she did it beautifully, and if Judith hadn't know her so well she would have; suspected that Baba was acting, but then Baba was; always very conscious of herself whatever she did, she couldn't even pour a cup of coffee without doing it to perfection and with one eye on her audience.
'I know…I'm torn, honestly, Judith, utterly distraught every time I try to make up my mind to tell him I want to go into films. It will be such a terrible shock to him. I'd die rather than break his heart, I’m quite crazy about him; if he didn't have a penny to his name I'd still want to marry him. His money makes no difference to me, it's Luke who turns me on—but does being in love mean you have to stop doing everything else? I mean, he isn't going to give up his career for me, is he? Can you imagine it? It's so funny, the very idea . . .' She laughed, her head back and her curls tumbling around her amused face in wanton profusion. She really ought to be in films, Judith thought; she's a natural for them.
The door bell rang brusquely and Judith jumped. 'Who on earth can that be at this hour?' She looked at the clock. It was gone eleven.
'Oh, that will be Luke—I left a message for him to pick me up here. I came by taxi, but you can never be sure of getting one back and I didn't want to drag you out in the middle of the night unless I had to.'
'How thoughtful of you,' said Judith, wishing she hadn't asked Luke to come here. She watched Baba rush to the door and then turned and collected up the coffee things, clattering the cups to avoid overhearing their first embrace. It didn't quite work; her ears were hyper-sensitive tonight, and Baba didn't hurry her kisses.
'Darling, darling, oh, I've missed you…mmm…do that again…'
Judith wished she had shut the door before she went out. She half turned her head angrily and saw Baba curving her body against Luke, her arms round his neck and her face raised to his. She had her eyes closed and her lips parted. Luke looked at Judith over her head and moved Baba away with both hands on her shoulders.
'Say goodnight to Judith and we'll
be on our way.'
'Don't be rude, Luke,' protested Baba, a pout altering the invitation on her mouth. 'Come and say hello to poor Judith; just because she's one of your serfs there's no reason to treat her like one!'
Judith slammed the sugar bowl on to the silver tray and Baba pulled a reluctant Luke into the room behind her.
'We were just having coffee—is there any left, Judith? Oh, you've started to clear it away—well, never mind. You're so efficient, Judith—I do admire you for that. I'm hopeless about housework and stuff.'
