Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe Page B

success. Kate was content because Mom pretended she didn’t know anything about Daphne. Rory and Richard got along like a house on fire and gave Dad advice about the stock market. The girls were as good as gold at their card table, playing with old Barbie dolls her mother was clever enough to have kept. The only ones who didn’t talk were Adrian and Gabby. Every time Lexie looked at them, they were not looking at each other.
    Beth followed her out into the kitchen with a stack of dishes. She filled the kettle and turned to back against the counter.
    â€œHow does she do it, Lex?”
    Lexie knew what she meant, but she was cranky so she pretended she didn’t.
    â€œHow does who do what?”
    â€œI wonder how it feels to have every man in the room want you.”
    Lexie started to cut the meringue and put it on plates. “Oh shut up. You know how it feels. You’re no shrinking violet. That’s my department.”
    Beth reached into her sweater pocket and pulled out a cigarette. She looked at Lexie.“Don’t tell. Rory will kill me.” She lit it. “I have one a week.”
    â€œI’m not telling.” Lexie held out her hand and Beth gave it to her. She took a long drag and handed it back.
    Their mother flew through the door and clapped her hands. “Chop, chop girls, let’s get dessert on the table.” She rushed to grab dessert forks out of the silverware chest that sat on the counter. When they were kids, the girls fought over who would put the cutlery back in the velvet slots.
    â€œBeth, put that horrid thing out. I’m surprised at you. Lexie, your young man doesn’t appear to be very talkative. I thought you said he was an actor. Are you sure he’s not a mime?” She smiled at her own joke.
    â€œMother, for the last time, Adrian is not my young man. He’s my stupid lodger. He’s my miserable, crappy twit of a lodger. He’s my rent money. Nothing else.”
    Lexie looked up. Beth and Mom stared at her. During her outburst, she’d hacked the meringue with a little too much force.
    â€œI don’t know what’s wrong with you girls. Gabby seems strange as well. Are you all on your periods or something?”
    Lexie didn’t point out that she was fifteen years away from menopause. Mom liked to pretend her girls were pimply teenagers. That way she was young forever.
    Mom reached into the fridge for the cream. “What do you think of Richard?”
    â€œHe looks like a Dick to me.”
    Her mother gave her a look.
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œHe seems nice,” Beth said. “I wonder how long he’ll last?”
    Mom filled the sugar bowl and sighed, “I do wish your sister would settle down. She’d make the most beautiful bride.”
    Beth said ever so casually, “What do you think of Daphne, Mom?”
    Their mom kept her head turned away.
    â€œI think she’s a lovely woman. I can see why Kate likes her so much.”
    She carried a tray full of teacups back into the dining room. Beth and Lexie looked at each other.
    â€œShe’s pretending.”
    â€œI’m not so sure,” Beth said. “Do you really think she’d be so calm if she knew?”
    Adrian was quiet on the drive home. It got on her nerves.
    She gripped the steering wheel. “So, what did you think of the entire family?”
    â€œEveryone was lovely.”
    That’s all he said. She hated when he was quiet.
    â€œI told you my sisters were good looking.”
    She waited for him to say “not as good-looking as you.”
    â€œYes, they are. They’re lovely.” He stared out the side window. That was twice he used the word lovely. Lexie kept her mouth shut the rest of the way home.
    They walked in the house. Adrian went to bed, after thanking her for a lovely evening.
    Gabby called the next day. Twice in the same week was unusual. She sounded chipper.
    â€œHi