Penny could not bear to hear him use that tone of voice any longer. She knew he was being unreasonable. Probably he knew it too, but he was being stubborn, so she must be the one to give in.

"Darling, if you really want me to, I will call Audrey and tell her. I will say I'm ill or something" she said.

"Oh, don't bother" Jeremy said ungraciously. "It doesn't really matter, anyway."

"It does, of course it does" Penny cried, a little of her control leaving her as she realized that this stupid discussion was developing into a quarrel. She could stand most things, but not a quarrel with...