Living Together

‘Why?’

‘Because—well, because everyone needs love.’

’I don’t. At least, not that type of love. And I don’t believe that what Leon Masters wanted from me had anything to do with love—of any kind. He only came here to tell me that he wanted me—wanted me, Jenny, nothing else.’

‘Well … it’s a start.’

Helen shook her head. ‘Not for me.’

Jenny sighed; ‘No, I suppose not.’

Helen frowned. ‘Aren’t you going to get ready for work?’ Her cousin was still in her dressing-gown and it was already a quarter to nine.

Jenny grinned. ‘Brent’s given me the day off for being a good girl.’

‘Oh yes?’ Helen queried suggestively.

‘Now, now,’ Jenny chided, ‘I told you there’s nothing like that between Brent and me.’

Helen shrugged. ‘Things could have changed.’

‘Well, they haven’t. He gave me today off because I worked late Friday evening. Anyway, he’s away for the day.’

‘How the other half live,’ Helen said teasingly. ‘Well, this working girl is off to another hard day at the office.’

Jenny grinned. ‘My heart bleeds for you!’

Helen laughed. ‘I’ll bet! Say, perhaps you should marry Brent and then you could take days off all the time.’

‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ Jenny said ruefully.

‘Jen?’ Helen probed gently.

‘Just joking,’ she gave a bright smile. ‘You’re going to be late,’ she reminded her.

‘Jen, about Brent—–’

‘We’re just good friends, as the saying goes. And likely to remain that way.’

‘But you would like to change the arrangement?’

Jenny bit her lip. ‘I’m not sure. Probably not. Let’s forget it.’

’But—–’

‘I said forget it, Helen. Sorry,’ Jenny mumbled. ‘Touchy subject.’

‘If you ever feel like talking about it you know I’m always here,’ she told her cousin.

‘I know,’ Jenny smiled. ‘You’ll be out of a job if you don’t leave.’

‘Goodness, yes! See you later.’

Helen almost ran from the underground to the travel agency, but she was still late in, an unusual occurrence for her. Mr Walters gave her a disapproving look as she got in at nine-fifteen, looking no less annoyed even after she had apologised.

She quietly got on with her work, her thoughts drifting to the events of the weekend. It had been an uneventful time once Leon Masters had left, but that hadn’t stopped her thinking about him, of the things he had said to her. No matter how she denied it the things he had said to her had affected her, flattered her in a way. Leon Masters was an important man, a celebrity, and yet he was attracted to her.

‘That’s the wrong file for that, Mrs West.’ Mr Walters was at her elbow as she filed a letter in the wrong envelope. ‘Are you feeling quite well?’

‘Oh, oh yes.’ She took the letter out of the file. ‘I’m perfectly well, thank you.’

‘Then concentrate, Mrs West,’ he frowned. ‘There would have been utter confusion when we came to look for that confirmation.’

‘Yes, Mr Walters.’ She stifled a smile as Sally winked at her across the office.

The only male among six females, Mr Walters tended to be rather stand-offish and domineering, although he probably needed to be. It couldn’t be easy controlling so many females in one office.

Sally strolled over to her desk on the pretence of helping her file some invoices. ‘Have a nice weekend?’

’Not bad.’ She hadn’t mentioned to any of the girls that she had met Leon Masters the previous weekend and saw no reason to mention the fact that she had met him again. Besides, it seemed too incredible, even to her, that he had actually shown an interest in her. Film stars of his fame just didn’t enter the life of someone like her.

‘I had a great time,’ Sally mused. ‘Steve took me to meet his mother.’

‘Nice?’ Helen murmured.

‘Very. A bit possessive over Steve, perhaps, but I’ll soon change that,’ Sally said with certainty.

‘I wouldn’t be too sure of that,’ Helen warned. ‘Possessive mother-in-laws can’t be changed.’ She knew that from experience! Michael’s mother had never been able to see any wrong in her son.

‘Oh, I’m not aiming to change her,’ Sally said happily. ‘Steve and I will be emigrating once we’re married. Most of my family are in Australia now that my mother and father are dead.’

‘How does Steve feel about the move?’

Sally grinned. ‘He doesn’t know yet. But he’ll agree, I’m sure of it. My sister will be able to arrange for a house for us and get Steve a job with her husband’s company.’

‘You’ve got it all worked out, haven’t you?’ commented Helen.

‘It will save arguments.’

‘I wish you luck,’ Helen said dryly. Sally might feel quite confident about her plans, but she didn’t think it was going to be as easy as that.

‘Mrs West?’ She looked up to see Mr Walters. ‘Far be it from me to complain,’ he continued sarcastically, ‘but you were late in this morning, and have spent the time since talking. Would it be too much to ask for you to actually do some work today?’

‘Sorry,’ Helen mumbled.

She did in fact get on with her work after that. It was a dead end job, but in a way she enjoyed it. The girls were all good company, with none of the bitchiness existing in this office that often occurred when several women worked together, and even Mr Walters had been known to let his hair down on occasion, joining in the odd joke.

‘I tell you it is him,’ Katy whispered.