The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin

they?’
    â€˜Oh, but of course. I thought everyone knew. But you’ve been here such a short time, why should you? And anyway, I’m sure it’s a matter of complete indifference to you.’
    Nigel, who was about to say ‘It is’, stopped himself in time. If he did, there was every possibility that Yseut would tell Helen at the earliest possible opportunity. Childish intriguing and hypocrisy! But Yseut’s game was one which, temporarily at least, she compelled those with whom she came in contact to play. He said:
    â€˜On the contrary. As I said, I find your sister very attractive.’
    He was relieved to hear a cool, sensible voice behind him. It was Rachel.
    â€˜Hello, Nigel,’ she said. ‘Are you enjoying this chaotic rehearsal? Silly question,’ she added with a smile before he could reply. ‘I expect everyone has asked you that and you’re tired of answering it.’
    â€˜I’ve got quite used to saying “Yes, I am”, and watching the polite incredulity on people’s faces.’
    â€˜Oh, well, it’ll brighten up towards the end of the week.’ She took his arm and piloted him a little way away from the others. ‘I don’t think you like Yseut,’ she said.
    â€˜Frankly, I don’t. And you?’
    â€˜Nasty little creature.’
    They both laughed, and the conversation drifted to other subjects. Robert’s voice was suddenly heard saying:
    â€˜Jane, dear, go over to the “Aston” and bring the men back, will you? We’re going to begin Act 2 almost immediately.’
    Yseut stretched and yawned. ‘Thank God I’ve finished. I shall have quite a pleasant week of doing next to nothing,’ she said.
    â€˜Yseut,’ said Jean Whitelegge abruptly, ‘I want to talk to you about Donald.’
    â€˜Oh?’ said Yseut with a slight sneer. ‘And what is there to talk about, may I ask? Donald darling, you’d better go away; you’ll get insufferably vain if you listen to two women fighting over you.’
    â€˜Oh, for God’s sake, Jean – ’ muttered Donald.
    â€˜Why don’t you leave him alone?’ Jean burst out suddenly. ‘You know you’re not interested in him, except when there’s nothing else in trousers to go about with. Now you’ve got your precious Robert, stop playing about and leave him alone. Leave him alone, I say! You don’t love him, and you never have. You don’t love anything but your own vanity and conceit!’
    â€˜Jean, dear, don’t,’ said Donald uncomfortably.
    She turned on him in a fury. ‘Oh, don’t be such a gutless little swine!’ she cried. ‘Can’t you see it’s for your own good – your own good, damn you!’
    â€˜Why, Jean dear,’ said Yseut smoothly, ‘I really believe you’re jealous! But surely a pretty, intelligent girl like you has no need to worry about rivals; why, you’ve only got to lift a finger and Donald will do anything you say –’
    Jean’s face became convulsed. ‘I hate you!’ she sobbed. ‘I hate you, you bloody little –’ She broke down and cried uncontrollably.
    Rachel came over and grasped her tightly by the arm. ‘Jean,’ she said firmly, ‘you know I’m going to want a big modern picture to bring on in the first act. Well, it’s just occurred to me that you can get one from that little shop in the Turl which will do admirably – a reproduction of a Wyndham Lewis. I think it would be a good thing if you went and got it now.’
    Jean nodded, and ran out of the room, still crying. In thedoorway she almost cannoned into Jane, who put her head in to say:
    â€˜Act 2 straight away, dear hearts!’ Then
sotto voce
to Richard: ‘Oh, Lord, what’s happened now?’ And disappeared.
    â€˜I think you might be more careful, Yseut,’ said Rachel coldly. ‘One or