Page 25 of An Invitation to the Kennedys

‘Especially now,’ he continued.‘Now that things are, well, are uncertain …’

Kick tried to think what to say: that she barely knew Diana and had only met Mosley a handful of times?Anyway, what was uncertain?

‘My father says this will all settle down,’ she tried.‘He says it’s just a question of getting used to a new player and that Hitler will be perfectly alright once he’s proven himself on the pitch.’Somehow she felt safe telling Billy what her father said, in a way she hadn’t with Mosley.

‘More baseball?’he said, but his smile was stiff.‘The only problem with that is that it rather looks as though Hitler’s way to prove himself means war.’

‘Oh, but there is no need for England to fight another war,’ Kick said eagerly.

‘I’m not sure it can be avoided.’

‘Don’t worry, my father is here to make sure that doesn’t happen.’She spoke gaily, but there was a sharp little silence.

‘I’m not sure itshouldbe avoided.’He spoke with less than his usual languor.

She was almost grateful when Irene came up behind them then and tapped Billy smartly on the shoulder.

‘There you are,’ she drawled.‘I’ve been sent to rescue you.’She shot a cross look at Kick.Billy said something polite about not needing to be rescued, but allowed Irene to lead him away and didn’t seem at all upset about it.

Damn the talk of war, she thought.It always spoiled everything.She believed her father; if he said a thing, then the thing was true.That’s what she had always learned.But for the first time, she felt the pull of another’s opinions – Billy’s – that were so opposite to her father’s.It was an uncomfortable feeling.Because if Billy was right – if war shouldn’t be avoided – then her father was wrong.And he had never been wrong.

She went to sit down.Andrew, Billy’s brother, had pulled up a chair and was deep in conversation with Debo, leaning towards her and laughing hard at everything she said.He went to get them more drinks and Debo turned to Kick.

‘Well?’she asked sympathetically.

‘I don’t know.’Kick shrugged.‘I really don’t.I mean, if I was in America, I’d know.Or if I didn’t, I’d just ask him straight out.’

‘You wouldn’t!’

‘I might.’

‘How I should like to see that.’Debo grinned.‘But no.It won’t do.We shall just have to find out.’

‘How?Especially now when Mother is making me go away with these Channon people.’

‘Actually, I think I can manage something,’ Debo said.‘I’ve been asked to the Blounts – their place is jolly near – and Billy and his parents have too.He thought he wouldn’t go, but perhaps I can persuade him that he should.Something away from London …’ she mused.‘Everything is different in the country.Especially in the summer.’

‘Would you really?’

‘Really.’

‘It would be the perfect way for Billy to meet Mother.’Kick’s mind began racing ahead.‘Like that, at a weekend party—’

‘You really must stop sayingweekend…’ Debo said faintly.‘So …’

‘American,’ Kick said firmly.‘It will be just the right kind of way to meet,’ she continued.‘Not like at a ball or a London party, with everyone stiff in their best clothes and a thousand people all clamouring for her attention … No, this will be perfect.An afternoon, even a whole day.Where they can talk and get to know one another, and then how can she fail to see what a dear he is.’

‘You are so convinced that your mother is the stumbling block.What about his lot?’

‘His parents will like me,’ Kick said with certainty.‘Parents always like me.’

‘Parents, maybe, but Billy’s parents …?’

‘How different can they be?’

‘Now that’s a question …’ Debo said, amused.‘Not one to answer now.’

‘But how can you be sure they’ll come?Maybe the Channons won’t invite them?’