Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Little white lies

David took his turn in front of the mirror. She was right. If he had the bad luck to run into anyone he knew they would know him instantly. He was no longer a pallid, thin invalid; but then the people he had known didn't frequent the southern suburbs. He grabbed a hat and sunglasses and tossing his keys ran down the stairs to catch up with Noel who was waiting, as promised, and wove behind her in the moderately heavy traffic, keeping her in sight as they drove through the suburbs, and pulling in behind her onto a concrete driveway just as Noel's aunt appeared from the house to hug her tight and beam, while over her shoulder eye with interest the unexpected suntanned length of a crookedly smiling male. Setting Noel aside with open curiosity she said, 'Noel, is this young man with you or have you both just arrived together coincidentally?'