Circle of Friends Part VIII

Eve is very upset by her own outburst of rage, and Benny wonders what is happening with Jack and Nan. The wedding plans seem to be off the table.. and she and Eve guess that Nan lost the baby. A little time passes and Eve and Benny begin to make plans for their next year at college. Mrs Hogan is happier and does not cling to Benny so much, now.. and its agreed that she and Eve can share a flat in Dublin for the next year. Jack visits Nan and she tells him that there's no need for them to get married now.. and that she has decided to drop out of college. She was never interested in it, and she is going to England to take a course in dress design which she would enjoy more. Jack is relieved, but feels a bit guilty. They say goodbye and Nan makes her plans to go to London. He has kept up his studies, and will go back to college in the autumn. Benny has a new admirer, a boy called Bill but she does not want to get involved with anyone. She realises that Jack is too handsome and charming and too fond of women to be an easy partner and that if she got together with him, she would always be on guard against his finding another woman. So she decides to keep her relationship with him as just a friendly one. THe gang have a picnic, and Jack turns up, rather late and a little uncertain of his welcome. Benny speaks kindly to him but it is clear that their love is over and Benny believes she will be happier.