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lay in an easy chair, a double whisky and soda in my hand, while I considered my position.

    I had known her now for five nights, and I knew I would never be more in love with any woman than I was with her. Was she aware of this or was she so naive that she really believed I would risk Aitken's displeasure just to teach her to drive? That was something I just had to find out.

    That suggestion of hers about coming to the bungalow bothered me. I had told her my house-boy left soon after seven, and I lived alone. Was this a hint that she was ready to return the love I felt for her?

    I told myself reluctantly that this was unlikely. She had never encouraged me to think that she looked on me as anything more than a helpful friend who was teaching her to drive, and who was giving her a lot of pleasure with no expectation of favours in return.

    I had to take this farther, I told myself. I had to find out if she realized the risk I was running. I was putting my whole future in balance. If Aitken found out about us the New York job would go up in smoke.

    I spent a restless night brooding over the situation. I was pretty short-tempered in the office the following morning, and it was a relief when I finally cleared my desk and collected a few papers I wanted to examine over the weekend.

    Pat, who had borne my irritability without protest, came in with a few more letters for me to sign.

    'For the love of Mike! I thought I had signed them all!' I barked at her.

    'There are only six,' she said and laid them on the desk.

    I took out my fountain pen and hurriedly scrawled my signature on the letters, then straightening and putting my pen away, I said: 'I'll be in first thing on Monday. I'll get off now. It's after six, isn't it?'

    'It's nearly half past. Are you going away, Ches?'

    I looked sharply at her, frowning.

    I don't know. I might. I'll probably play some golf.'

    'I hope you get a little rest. You don't have to worry so much, Ches, you're doing fine.'

    At any other time this would have encouraged me, but in my present mood it only irritated me.
    'I'm not worrying,' I said curtly. 'See you on Monday,' and nodding, I left her, her eyes wide with surprise, her expression hurt.

    Joe came out of his office as I walked down the corridor.

    'Give me a lift to the station, Ches?'

    'Okay.'

    I didn't want him with me, but I couldn't very well refuse, as he knew I had to pass the station on my way to the bungalow.

    We went together to the elevator.

    As we were going down, Joe said: 'Seeing R.A. tonight?'

    'No. He told me to take the weekend off. I've got the Wasserman TV script to look at. From what I've seen of it, it's not too bad.'

    'Why don't you lay off work and take a rest?' Joe asked as we crossed the lobby. 'You're getting pretty nervy. What's biting you?'

    'Nothing's biting me,' I said shortly as I made my way across the crowded sidewalk to where I had parked the Cadillac.

    Joe slid in beside me.

    'Well, for the past two days you've been snapping everyone's head off. You made Paula cry this afternoon.'

    'Paula's a moron. I asked her three times to get Wasserman and she couldn't raise him.'

    'He happened to be out. She can't perform miracles.'

    I started the engine.

    'What is this, Joe? Since when do I want your criticism?'

    'Here we go,' Joe said, sinking down into the cushions of the bench seat. 'Now it's my turn. Well, okay, boy, if you think this is the way to act the Big Wheel, I won't stop you, but take my advice and try to relax. You're leaning too hard on the job.'
    I knew he was right and I suddenly felt ashamed of myself.

    'Yes. Sorry, Joe. I'll be okay after the weekend.'

    'I guess I'd act the same,' Joe said generously. 'You have quite a job to hold down now.' Then changing the subject, he went on: 'You know I envy you this car – what a beaut!'

    'I always wanted a Caddy. It cost me plenty, but it's worth every nickel. Although I've had it now for eighteen months, I still get a bang out of