Phyllis listened to Lily’s account in disapproving silence. ‘An unofficial boss? Can’t say I’d be happy with that arrangement. When you’re dealing with a man you should always agree terms and get things down on paper.’ Catching a quizzical glint in Lily’s eye she pursed her lips and admitted: ‘All right! I’m one to talk. The Awful Warning if your mother’s to be believed. Arrangements don’t come more informal than my own.’
Lily smiled and hurried to murmur: ‘I never know when it’s the right moment to ask but I’m always wondering, Phyl … the Slip-up? How’s he doing?’
Phyl grinned. ‘There are times even I’d rather not hear … but for the moment he’s doing well. Going up to university next term. Hardly seems possible, does it? Little Teddy at the London School of Economics? Doesn’t seem ten minutes since you were teaching him to count to five, love, with conkers in a jam jar. He was just asking about you before he set off for Florence. We’ll have a party when he gets back and you can check him over yourself. I’m more concerned about you at present.’
‘And next you’ll be telling me never to sign anything until you’ve taken a look at it.’
‘Good advice! Did I ever say that? Well, listen now to the voice of experience. I say again – this man’s after something. It’s all here,’ she said, tapping the card. ‘Choice of flower first. What do we read into that? Lilies for a Lily, eh? Bit bloomin’ obvious, isn’t it?’
‘Well, the lily’s my birthday flower – May. He’d have known that from the notes. And it signifies purity. But that I’m sure he would not have any information on!’
‘Loverish whimsy are we thinking? Can you be sure he chose them? We can’t assume that – not of a man with a secretary to do the domestic for him. Still, if she’s the supercilious cow you describe, you’d have ended up with a bunch of daisies from the back garden. I’m calculating he chose them to flatter and amuse. Now let’s read these runes. They look like runes. Black … chiselled … bossy. Mmm … I don’t much like what I’m seeing. These message cards are very small. Most men, in their excitement, run over and finish the message on the back, have you noticed?’
Lily smiled. ‘Oh, Phyl! I wouldn’t know. This is the first shop-bought bouquet I’ve ever had. A bunch of sticky bluebells and an even stickier kiss from Billy Benson on a charabanc trip to Epping Forest in 1914 is the best I’ve done so far.’
‘Pity your first had to come from a rogue then. Yes – rogue. Look – do you see the writing fills the given space exactly? And he uses a thick-nibbed pen. He’s adjusted his normal style and tailored his message. It’s calculated to the tenth of an inch. He’s given it careful thought. I definitely don’t think he’s planning to have his wicked way with you, though. Out of the question. A man in his position – in the public eye, two or three more steps more to go on the ladder, would that be? He’s not going to risk the scandal of taking advantage of one of the female staff. Too much to lose. No, I reckon you’re safe as far as that goes. He’s not planning to twang your elastic.’ Phyl eyed Lily’s outfit with distaste. ‘Besides, I don’t expect he’s noticed there’s a pretty girl in there.’
‘Well, you may just be wrong, Phyl. I did come in for an inspection of sorts. He checked my height and weight and age. He rather insisted on seeing me without my hat. I thought he might be about to look at my teeth and feel my fetlocks.’
‘Dirty devil! And no other female present while he sniffs around, poking under your hat and measuring your hemline? Well, that’s a breach of the rules for a start. Complain to Miss Peto! She’ll be down on him like a ton of bricks.’ Phyllis shook her head. ‘But I still can’t see what’s in it for him. Where the thrill would be.’
‘Never underestimate a man’s capacity for perversion, Phyl! There’s something about the uniform that sets them off. They love to be dominated, you know.’
‘Where on earth do you get all this rubbish from?’ Phyl was scandalized but intrigued.
‘I learned that from an old jam-tart who trawls the Baze, sitting on a bench in the park. I could have had her arrested but didn’t. I usually don’t.’ Lily laughed. ‘In reward for my kindness, she treated me to a lesson in … not quite sure what you’d call it … um … bending gentlemen to one’s will, I suppose. Then, once you’ve got them bending, you give them a good spanking. Whilst wearing a uniform.’