Families were really fantastic. After all this nagging, people ought to flounce out of one another's lives as mortal enemies and never darken the doormats again. A few minutes ago, I realized, I had felt on the point of doing that exactly. But it wasn't in my nature to flounce out of anything. And what you did instead was have a cup of tea and carry on as if nothing had happened at all. Still, even it's true, I thought, it's damned silly. Strangers would never be so cheeky to one another. Families are a form of self-indulgence in bad manners. Especially Kate, who is my best girlfriend with her wheels within wheels and her offensive nonsense about boy friends.
"Are you sure you feel all right?" Kate asked, and I instantly answered, "No maybe you're right-I could have a nap instead, and you can take the kids down to the beach."
It disposed of Kate's insinuations at once. I assured Kate that an outing with the kids was probably just what I needed.