"That's almost right," Martin said and turned to Greg with a twinkle in his eye. "Shall I tell her?"

Greg nodded slightly as he drank. "Your travelling husband and I talked it over in the car and decided that you shouldn't miss a party just because your old man is out of town."

Martin's smile never faded as he talked. "Darleen and I will take you to the club without him. The table has already been reserved and everything has been especially ordered. Besides, I'm still not too old to squire two women at once, if it's only for one night."

"Oh, Martin, I don't know," she started, but he interrupted.

"Don't be ridiculous. I've already talked to Darleen. She's been spending the last three hours getting ready for this. She doesn't mind sharing me for part of one evening. So you can't say no," he said, taking her hand warmly.

"In that case, Mr. Kelly, I simply cannot refuse," she said dramatically. "What time will you call, sir?"

"At eight sharp. Can you be ready, Madam?"

"Of course," she answered.

Greg broke in, "Enough is enough for both of you lovers. I've got a jet to catch. Come on Martin, let's get a move on."

Janet walked her husband to the door and kissed him goodbye, feeling his impatience to leave as he drew away from her. She watched him walk to the car and stood in the doorway, her arms hanging limply at her side.

"See you at eight," Martin shouted.

She nodded and smiled, watching the white convertible back from the driveway onto the street and roar off toward the corner and the airport. Goodnight, Greg, she thought and turned back into the house closing the door behind her, not wanting the fresh air to touch the single tear that had dropped to her cheek. A deep sense of loneliness rippled through her, a loneliness she had been carrying with her since Greg's move into the upper echelons of business, and one she hated with all her heart.