a silly stupid thing.” She flashed a glance at him, liquid-eyed, appealing.

He was surprised (she wasn’t) to find his hand closed tight and hard over her soft dimpled one. He was terror-stricken (she wasn’t) to hear his voice saying, “I think you’re wonderful. I think you’re the most wonderful girl I ever saw, that’s what.” He crushed her hand and she winced a little. “Home girl.”

Cora’s name suited her to a marvel. Her hair was black and her colouring a natural pink and white, which she abetted expertly. Cora did not wear plain white tailored waists. She wore thin, fluffy, transparent things that drew your eyes and fired your imagination. Raymond began to call her Coral in his thoughts. Then, one evening,