Circle of Friends Part III

Benny enjoys college but she is depressed by the fact that her parents expect her back at home every evening and she doesn't get much chance to socialise. She manages to get to a party being held at Jack's house and he realises that she is very attractive in an unusual way. He asks her out, and she is so thrilled. Nan however has higher ambitions than meeting a student. She has found out that Eve is a cousin to a well to do Protestant family, and decides to pursue Simon. Eve is grateful to Simon for helping her out but her pride won't let her have much to do with the family, in case they think she is trying to get on socially or be helped financially by them. Nan thinks Eve is a fool not to make use of her connexions, although she is not fully aware that the Westwards are not that well off any more, and that Simon himself hopes to marry someone with money to help out with the farm's problems. Benny starts to go out with Jack but she can't meet him that often, as she is still expected home every night. Eve is going out with Aidan now and Nan still has her eye on Simon. She persuades one of her admirers to go with her, to gatecrash a society wedding.. where the Protestant landowner will be a guest. Jack's parents know that he is going out with Benny and his mother is not too keen on the romance. Meanwhile Benny has an uneasy feeling about her parents. They wanted her to go to college but nowadays the shop isnt doing very well and she begins to wonder if they are hoping that she would marry Sean and go into the business.