Forever by Margaret Pemberton

course Gussie will get over it in time. It’s a bit of a shock, that’s all.’ She managed a tremulous smile and looked towards the door.
    â€˜The Shreve boys have just come in. They look dreadful. Were they close to Beau?’
    â€˜Not that I know of,’ Eden replied drily. ‘But I imagine they modelled themselves on him.’
    â€˜There’s Bradley. He’s the only person I’ve seen so far who doesn’t look to be in shock.’
    A smile tinged Eden’s mouth. It would take a lot to shock Bradley Hampton.
    He had seen them and was approaching their table. Mae shrank back and tried to make herself invisible. Their date had been a disaster. His only interest had been in talking about Gussie.
    â€˜Isn’t it dreadful?’ Eden said as he crossed to their table. ‘Have you heard some of the rumours?’
    Bradley wasn’t remotely interested in rumours.
    â€˜Where’s Gussie?’ he asked with apparent indifference.
    Despite herself, Eden felt her nerves begin to throb. There was something overpoweringly masculine about Bradley Hampton. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was in love with Dean …
    â€˜At home, grief-stricken at Beau Clay’s death,’ Mae said timidly, near to tears. ‘It’s my belief she’ll waste away and die, just like that Frenchwoman in the book we had to read for English Lit.’
    Bradley stared down at Eden grim-faced. ‘Is that true?’
    Eden forced a laugh.
    â€˜No. She’s a little upset, that’s all. She knew Beau slightly. He was a close friend of her cousin Tina’s at one time.’
    Bradley swung his jacket negligently over one shoulder. He knew just what kind of a friend Beau Clay had been to the provocative Tina Lafayette. He wondered if Gussie did, and doubted it. He took a sip of his beer, turned as his name was called and drifted away.
    â€˜He really does care about Gussie, doesn’t he?’ Mae said enviously. ‘I don’t understand why she won’t date him. He’s so handsome, and so …’ She struggled inadequately for the right word.
    â€˜Male,’ Eden said obligingly. Bradley Hampton’s charms were not lost on her either. ‘Restrain your thoughts, Mae. Here comes Austin.’
    â€˜What are you girls drinking? White wine?’ Austin asked, blinking at them through his thick glasses. ‘Let me get another bottle. Nice to see you, Eden. Where have you been lately?’
    Eden smiled. ‘Around,’ she said, wondering when Austin would ask Mae to marry him and when Mae would accept.
    â€˜Have you seen the headlines in the paper?’ Mae asked as he sat down. ‘Do you think he was drunk, Austin? He must have been, mustn’t he? I mean, he could drive a car like no one else I’ve ever seen. How could it have happened? He must have been near out of his mind not to have seen a tree that size.’
    Eden flicked open a packet of cigarettes and resigned herself to the fact that she was going to hear a lot of talk about the way Beau Clay had met his death. She looked at her wristwatch. It had been three hours since she had left the Lafayette home. Perhaps Gussie would be grateful if she called round now. Excusing herself and leaving Mae in Austin’s company, she left the bar.
    When she turned into the Lafayette driveway she halted and whistled expressively. Bradley Hampton’s distinctive blue Thunderbird was parked conspicuously in front of the porticoed entrance.
    So … Mae was right. Bradley Hampton really did care about Gussie. And, on hearing of Gussie’s distress, he had driven straight over. It showed a brand of courage Eden admired. She put the Cadillac into reverse and backed out into the Avenue. It seemed as if Gussie was getting all the comfort she needed.
    â€˜I wish you’d go away,’ Augusta said, her eyes blue hollows in a fragilely pale face. ‘I want to be left