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whom Connie shared fun
with, while Sheila was the good influence, an understanding person in whom
Connie found an interested listener. Before long she had told Sheila all about
herself – later, about her meeting with Philip Dual. They had stopped for a
break. Sheila had been busy arranging meetings and was looking through her
diary to make sure that engagements didn't overlap.
    'You're
doing well for a newcomer,' Sheila had grinned as she spooned sugar into her
cup.
    Connie knew
she wasn't referring to her work. She nibbled at her biscuit. ' Tilly knows all the places. You'll have to meet her,
Sheila.'
    'She sounds
fascinating, but don't let her exert too much pressure on you, love. She sounds
the domineering type, and I wouldn't like to think she
influences you the wrong way.'
    'She
doesn't much,' Connie replied earnestly. 'We're friendly, but not much alike.
Our tastes differ, and Tilly's the last person who
wants to get permanently hitched. She says that life's more exciting being with
many men and she's not the type of girl to settle down with one man in marriage
for a long time.'
    'It must be
good to be in that sort of position where one can choose,' Sheila sighed,
almost to herself.
    Connie had
heard the quiet comment and looked up quickly, her face sympathetic. 'Haven't
you got a steady, then?' she asked, somewhat shyly, as if fearing to sound too
nosey, but Sheila didn't seem to mind the question.
    'No. I'm
not pretty like you, to be able to pick and choose with whom I go out. Oh. I
meet men socially now and again, but it's more or less a question of being
content with those who show an interest in me, not the other way around.'"She gave a laugh, as if it were of no
consequence, but Connie wasn't going to stand for that resigned attitude.
    'You ought
not to underestimate yourself,' she said accusingly, defending Sheila to
herself. 'You're charming and ... and nice, and there must be men around who
prefer those qualities to just a pretty face.'
    'You're a
sweet kid, but you mustn't feel guilty about me just because you find it so
easy to meet men.' Smiling, she added: 'You've hardly settled in, and already you're my champion.'
    Connie
reddened as she drank her coffee. 'Well, I like you, Sheila,' she said
defensively. 'You've been very kind to me, and don't mind listening when I go
on and on about myself all the time. It must be borin sometimes, yet still you offer me advice, and you've even bothered to go out
shopping with me to help choose clothes.' She laughed but her face told that
she was sincere when she added, 'I tend to think of you as a big sister,
Sheila. I... I hope you don't mind... '
    'Of course
not, I'm flattered but,' she glanced at her watch, 'even so, chattering away to
each other like this won't get the work done, and I've got a tight schedule today.'
    They
resumed their respective jobs and for the next hour or so neither spoke, intent
on their work. When the telephone rang, Sheila, who was nearer, picked up the
receiver. She listened for a moment and then wagged her head at Connie.
    'For you,'
Sheila said, her eyes twinkling, 'A Mr Philip Dual.'
    'How on
earth did he get my office number?' Connie wondered aloud, but took the phone.
    'Hello?
Philip?'
    The voice
said it was.
    'How did
you get my number here?'
    There was a
chuckle. 'I called your home and some woman answered ... '
    'Mrs
Withers?'
    'Whoever
she was, she got all nosey when I asked for your number, so I just told her I
was your dentist and had to speak to Miss Sands about her appointment for
X-rays today.'
    'Oh,
Philip,' Connie laughed. 'Anyway, what's so important that you couldn't wait
until tonight to phone me?'
    'Couldn't wait, baby. Since I met you I haven't been able to stop thinking about the angel
with the violet eyes. When can I see you again?'
    'Well, I
don't know... '
    '... Sure
you do.'
    'Okay, what
about next Sunday?'
    'Can't wait
until then, baby,' his voice said carressingly .
'Tonight's better if you've nothing to