Rita's-Little-Shop-Girl free porn video

Rita's Little Shop Girl By Susan Day This is a story of a fireside chat between Penelope Primrose, usually known as 'Auntie', and her friend Rita. A librarian holds off the attentions of a lesbian customer. Then a male customer asks her out and she thinks her bad luck with men is over. They see each other for a while then he asks her back to his flat for dinner. Mistakenly turning into his bedroom instead of the bathroom, she finds women's clothes hung up. He then explains they are his and the librarian begins a new relationship with a 'girlfriend'. She holds a dinner party for her friends and finds she is not alone. Then arrangements are made for the wedding in which her husband will wear white. She finds him a job in a flower shop where the owner seems to have her own designs on him. (number six in a series of chats) -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo- Rita sat on the sofa in my parlour while I looked her up and down. "Look at you," I said. "Is this the same Rita Lacey I have known all these years? Is this the same quiet lady who sits in her library suggesting the next book I should read? Is this the same lady who has refused so many times to come to dinner or even to have lunch with me?" "Same Rita," she said. "I think I've just woken up." I was so surprised when she had appeared at the parlour door, announced by today's maid, Peony. She has been changing her appearance week by week and I had commented on this at the library. My reading seems to go in cycles. I am reading a lot of who-dunnit stories at the moment. She confided in me a lot at the library, but we had never seemed to manage to find time outside our weekly lunchtime chats over her desk. But here she was, having finally said she'd like to come round and see me. I knew she didn't wear her frumpy old styles any more but, for her to be standing there in spiked heels and a very tight black dress, took me aback. "They are for a special occasion," she said. She directed Peony to kneel in front of the sofa and put her feet up on her as a footstool. "Sorry I am unable to offer you tea," I said. "My maid appears to be busy." She laughed and I poured is some gin from the special flask I kept next to my knitting. Almost as soon as I handed it to her, she started telling me all about what has been happening. -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo- As a librarian, I am quite often assumed to be a prim and proper little Miss. Although I don't think I am, a few friends used to say I'm very quiet and dress a little bit frumpy. I only ever had one boyfriend and that was many years ago. I live alone in a little flat above a flower shop and didn't get out very much. So I suppose people may have been justified in thinking I was a bit of an old maid. One of the regulars in the library was a plumpish matronly woman called Kate, who liked to give me little gifts. They were only little things to begin with: hankies, chocolates, a nice pen at Christmas. She'd taken a shine to me the moment I started work at the library and has been a regular visitor for years. She read quite widely but always took a raunchy book with her each time. I noticed after a while that she always put that raunchy book on the top and watched me as I stamped it. Then one day she left a little note inside the front cover. I took it out to give it back to her but she pushed it back into my hand and closed my fingers around it. When she'd gone, I read it. It was her phone number with the message 'Give me an hour, then ring!' Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I did. She was very pleasant and said she'd like to make friends and would I let her cook me dinner that night. I accepted and went straight from the library when it closed to her house. It was a nice big place. She told me she lived there alone. She was very peasant all evening and payed me many compliments. She kept stroking my hair and saying how silky it was. The meal was marvellous. Afterwards, we sat in the study on an old leather sofa and talked about books. She had hundreds. I said she should open a library of her own and she said that she would have to have me as her librarian. By this time, I'd had a lot of wine and wasn't really able to cope with what happened next. Without warning, Kate's hand slipped to the back of my neck and pulled me towards her. She kissed me with an intense passion and I melted into her kiss. Then suddenly, I realised what was happening and pulled away. I told her I wasn't a lesbian and thought this was just to be a friendship. She apologised and the rest of the evening was spent talking. She gave me a lift home and walked me to the door. She gave me a peck on the cheek and I didn't really mind. After that, we went out quite frequently to the theatre and restaurants. She always gave me a lift home and walked me to the door and gave me a peck on the cheek. I was too afraid to invite her in. I tried to keep our relationship as 'just friends'. Her gifts became more extravagant each time she went to the library. Then she bought me a gold watch. I didn't mind her attentions. I wasn't attracted to her the way I realised she was attracted to me but we really valued each other's company. I know you noticed a change in me as you'd mentioned it a couple of times. I have asked you so much about relationships in the time we have known each other. I kept everything you'd ever said in mind, you know. You have always been such a good friend, Penny. My other friends are Jean and Andrew. Jean and I met at the Women's Institute. Andrew, her husband, works at the register office. He always liked to joke that he's married loads of people. We liked to cook for each other. Whenever I went to their house, Andrew was always so polite. He would take my coat, make sure I had a drink and would thoroughly pamper me. He was just as nice at my flat and always offered to wash up while Jean and I compared notes on the latest culinary experience. Apart from that, I had a passing acquaintance with Nina who owns the Flower Shop. It may not seem like an exciting life but I was happy. Then, a few months ago, one of the library regulars clumsily asked me out for a drink after work. He'd been coming along for a while and always seemed to have something on his mind. I said yes and we went for a drink in a quiet pub nearby. He asked if I'd like to go to the pictures with him and one thing led to another and we were soon going out regularly. I warned him straight away not to be too amorous. I had a bad experience with a chap a few years earlier and it had left me very hurt. It would be a long time before I would trust men again. He acted like the perfect gentleman. He held my hand occasionally and never fondled me. After the first few clumsy attempts at kissing, he even stopped kissing me. So we became close and friendly. My ideal. -- oOo -- When my birthday came, he said he'd cooked me a meal at his place. I was a little wary as we'd never been alone together before, but I trusted him. So I went and had a charming evening. He was so eager to please and pamper. I was so happy. Later on, I went to find the little room and stumbled by mistake into his bedroom. I recognised his jackets hanging on the rail in the open wardrobe but was very shocked to see some dresses hanging next to them. I went to look and found a whole woman's wardrobe in there: blouses, dresses, skirts, slips, knickers, stockings, shoes - the whole works. I was devastated. "David, how could you!," I called. He came running through. He went bright red and stammered a bit before saying "You don't understand." I looked at him and said, "I knew I couldn't trust men. You're all the same. I'm going." He stood in front of me in the doorway. "Rita," he said. "Don't go. Let me explain." I waited and looked at him. "I'd like to see you explain this. Where is she? Did you tell her some lie to get her out while I was here?" "No," he said, terrified. "There is no 'she'." "So explain all these," I said, pointing to the wardrobe. "They are mine," he said. He just looked at me like a frightened animal. I was speechless for a few moments before I said that I didn't believe him. He undid his trousers and dropped them to the floor. Then I believed. Under his trousers he'd been wearing stockings, suspenders and lacy panties. "I'm a transvestite," he said and waited for me to react. "I can see that," I laughed. "Please don't laugh," he whined. "I'm still the same person. I like you a great deal. In fact, I think I love you. I want to do anything to please you. I was going to ask you to marry me." "And when were you planning to tell me about this?" I asked. "I don't know," he said. "But don't you see, it only makes things better. You don't want a brutish thug as a husband and that's the last thing I'd be. Please don't rush away. Stay and talk to me." "Well I have to go to the loo now anyway. I suppose I'll stay to hear your explanation afterwards." "Why do I always attract the weirdos?" I thought to myself. He didn't come out of the bedroom for ages. I sat in the lounge not knowing what to do. When he walked into the room, I was even more shocked than before. Standing in front of me was a vision of femininity. "David, is that you?" I asked. I stood up and walked over to him. "Yes, it's me," he answered in a quiet, hoarse sort of girly voice. "But please call me Carol." He stood there in a bubbly blonde wig, immaculate makeup, a skin- tight red dress with a wide leather belt, black stockings and ankle boots. With a little leather shoulder bag, bangles, shiny plastic earrings, several bead necklaces and cheap shiny rings, he looked every inch the tart. Every inch of his heaving breasts, slim waist and smooth legs made him look as if he should have been standing on a street corner. I wanted to run. I wanted to leave him there and go back to my normal ordinary life. But something made me stay. "David, I mean Carol," I stuttered. "I just don't know what to say." "Say nothing," he or she said. He led me back to the sofa, sat me down, got down on his stockinged knees in front of me and told me how he'd decided to tell me he loved me and wanted to marry me. He promised not to be forceful or demanding. He said he would do anything for me. He would even stop dressing up if I wanted, although he said he'd like me to accept it. "I really want to be with you so very much," he said. "Please marry me." I felt I should just refuse, but I couldn't. Something inside was stirring. I leaned over, kissed him and asked him for my coat. He helped me on with it and I held him close and kissed him passionately on the lips for the first time since we'd been going out. "Come to dinner at my flat dressed exactly like this the day after tomorrow," I said and left. Next day, I took a long lunchbreak and went to see Jean at her house. I told her the story and she listened carefully then took me upstairs. She showed me the spare room and took me to the wardrobe. There were all Andrew's clothes. Then she took me to her room and showed me the two wardrobes there. One had her clothes, the other had clothes for a slightly larger woman including a long white dress. "It's Andrew," she said. "He's dressed up for years. he loves to come home from work after marrying pretty brides and dress up as one himself. I hope you agree to get married. Andrew can be a bridesmaid!" "I had no idea," I said, open-mouthed. "He seems like the perfect husband." "He is," she said, taking a black dress from the wardrobe. "This is his maid's dress. He dresses while he's at home and usually does the housework in this, with a little frilly pinny. We have a very nice sex life and he looks after me all the time. Take the chance, marry this man. You will never regret it." "Will you come to dinner tomorrow night?" I blurted out. "I've asked him round and would like some moral support." "Of course!" she replied. "We'll come a little later to give you two a chance to settle things." And with that, I rushed back to the library. -- oOo -- Kate was there when I got back. She could see I was flustered and asked me why. When I told her, I felt she might be disappointed. But she was very pleased. I asked her to dinner too. She realised it was getting to be a large affair so she offered to come around and help. This would be the first time we would be alone in my flat, but I felt safe this time. Kate wanted to know all about my new 'girlfriend'. She wanted to know whether 'she' had any family. I said 'she' had a step-mother but that was it. His father had run off years ago. "Well you'll have to ask her permission for her stepdaughter's hand in marriage," Kate said. Ask her round to meet you. You can pop the question then." "But what is she going to think?" I asked. "She'll soon have to get used to the idea. Phone her up and ask her round tonight," she ordered. "Make sure she's there nice and early." So I did. David's mum didn't seem that surprised to hear from me. Obviously he'd been telling her about me. She said she had arranged to meet a friend on that evening but would gladly cancel to meet me. So she was coming. Out of the blue. Just like that. My life never moved this quickly normally. -- oOo -- I spent some time in the restricted book section of the library and found a cook book I remembered from a long time ago. I found exactly the right recipe and didn't really need to take notes but, being me, I took them anyway. Shopping was easy, but I took a long lunch anyway just to make sure I had time. I could not wait to close the library but, remembering my manners, didn't hurry the newspaper readers, who often spent all day reading every paper with nowhere else to go. "See you tomorrow, Miss," the last one said as I locked the doors. I phoned Jean and asked if she would help me with a special dessert. She said she would organise help, which I thought was odd. Never mind, she was coming. That evening, Kate and I prepared the meal. Kate had bought lots of flowers from the shop downstairs. "To brighten up the occasion," she had said. "I had a very long and interesting conversation with the shop owner too." I had known Nina at the flower shop for several years. Often, on a Saturday, I would buy a small bunch of left-over flowers to brighten up my Sunday lunch table. I'd wondered what they had to chat about. We were just finishing off the meal and the table when the entry phone rang. It was Carol's mum. I let her in and waited for her to come up. She is a very pleasant woman. She made me feel at ease the moment she came in. "You're very pretty," she said. I blushed. Kate had made me dress up a bit. She had bought me a black cocktail dress and had lent me some glamorous gold earrings with a matching necklace. "So you want to marry my son. I must say he's very lucky." "Thank you, Mrs Morgan," I said. "Oh no, call me Christine," she answered. But before I could say anything else, Kate introduced herself, took Christine's coat and whisked her over to the sofa. She was all over Christine. Giggling like a little girl, getting her a drink, plumping up the cushions for her. She hardly left her side. "You tart," I thought. "You're a shameless hussy - and a lesbian at that - a beautiful lesbian." I stopped for fear of blurting it out. It wasn't long before they disappeared into the kitchen. Kate said it was to show her the meal but I just felt she was going to take every chance to get intimate. Very soon afterwards, the buzzer went again. this time it was David, or rather Carol. She came in, just as instructed, dressed to thrill. She took off her black PVC coat and hung it up. "Well here I am," she said. I threw my arms around her and kissed her as if it was for the last time. Then I said, "We have some other guests for dinner." "But I thought we would be alone," she protested. At that moment, Christine came into the room. "Hello," she said to the new arrival. "Christine, meet Carol," I said. "Carol meet Kate and Christine." Carol was terrified as Christine shook her hand. Then she stopped and did a double take. "David?" she asked. "Yes," I said. "But please call him Carol now. We want to get married and I'd like your approval." After a short pause, she laughed. "Well I'd always wondered," she said. "Still, it won't be like losing a son, it will be like gaining two daughters." She kissed me and said, "Call me Mum." "Well this is a day of surprises," she said, sitting down and heaving a sigh. "First of all, I get a phone call from my stepson's girlfriend saying she'd like me to come around tonight as she has something important to say, then I find my son has chosen a very pretty girl, then I find my son wants to actually be a girl and is, in fact, my daughter, then I find you want to get married and to top it all, this lesbian friend of yours has been trying to get in my knickers since I walked through the door." After a few moments' silence, she added, "Well I can see this is going to be a very nice evening." Everyone sighed with relief. It was going to be a good evening. Kate went to get everyone a drink, not fussing so much over Christine this time, we sat Carol down next to her mum then we started to chat. After a while, Christine told me that she was glad Carol had chosen to be a girl as he was always such an unruly boy. Her hand was always so red from smacking him, she'd been glad when he'd grown up and moved out. Still, she felt it would be a good idea to give her one final spanking before she gave her away. So Kate stood Carol up and eagerly pulled her panties down, then she lifted up her dress and forced her down across her mother's knees. Christine wasted no time and smacked her daughter hard. "Let's beat all of that nasty maleness out of you," she said between strokes. "Let's just see if we can't leave a nice pretty humble girl." Kate was licking her lips as this was going on. When Carol was still snivelling and pulling up her knickers, Christine looked up and said, "I don't know why you're looking so pleased with yourself. You've been so naughty you'll have to be next." Kate needed no telling. She had her knickers up and dress down and was across Christine's knees before you could say 'smack'. Just then, the buzzer rang again and Jean and Andrew came in to the sight of Carol looking slightly dishevelled and tearful but still sensational after a good thrashing, then plump Kate across Christine's knee being spanked for all she was worth and letting out an 'oooh' or an 'aah' with each stroke. Jean looked nice in a blue silk party frock. Andrew was the big surprise. When he took his coat off, he was wearing a long Victorian parlour maid's dress with lacy cuffs, lace petticoats and a lacy apron tied in a big bow at the back and a lacy mob cap with ribbons trailing down the back. "Andrew, or rather Anne, will be serving us tonight," said Jean. "Show her where everything is in the kitchen and she'll get on with it." I gave her the instructions I had prepared and she smiled and said she would deal with it. My head reeled for a while then seemed to think - well - you've had a quiet life - time to get on with it! I didn't need any wine. I was buzzing! >From then on, it really was a very enjoyable evening. Anne served us beautifully and sat with us when she wasn't rushing around. Carol relaxed and was simply charming. She shone. I fell in love with her all over again. Kate and Christine were getting along swimmingly. For some reason, they had both decided to take their dresses off and sat through the meal in their underwear, Kate with a stunning black basque and Christine with a pretty pink teddy. I had no idea where this would end but knew this would be the reddest of red-letter days in my diary. Christine proposed a toast on the occasion of the engagement of her daughter Carol and the 'radiant' Rita. She took off her engagement ring and said that it had been her grandmother's ring and had been in the family for a long time. She wanted her daughter to wear it. So she gave it to me and I put it on Carol's finger. "I would like her to have my wedding ring on the day," said Christine. "And I'd like to see my step daughter get married in my wedding dress." Kate protested that she had wanted to buy the dress but realised she was beaten before she started. Christine gave her a stern look and she just buckled. I would never have thought that possible, but it was a night of impossibilities. Kate then said she would hold the wedding at her house and insisted on paying for the honeymoon. Jean said she would officiate and Anne would be the bridesmaid. Although officially, Andrew would have to sign things, they had decided Jean would run it. "If you're giving the bride away," said Kate to my future mother-in- law, "What will I do?" "You can be the best man," said Christine. "After all, you probably are the best around here." Then she leaned over and kissed her, sliding her hand into the cup of Kate's basque. We all laughed. "Mr and Mrs Morgan," said Christine. "Who would have thought that my pathetic ex-husband's son would have found anyone to take him. And he has found an absolute peach." "Just one correction, Mrs Morgan," I said. "It will be Mrs and Mrs Lacey. She will be taking my name not the other way round." -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo- "Top up," said Rita, holding out her glass. "Sorry dear," I said, topping her up. "My maid seems a little preoccupied." She returned to her story. -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo- "What a strange occasion," said Jean. "With two transvestites and two lesbians, you and I are outnumbered." "Speak for yourself," I said. "We still haven't had the dessert yet." With that, I sent Anne into the kitchen, cleared off the table and, checking the preparations and the notes I had written with Anne, came back into the room. I took off my dress, climbed onto the table and stripped off my underwear. To absolute silence, I lay down on the table and Anne came in carrying a bowl of fruit salad and a large dish of cream. She arranged the fruit all over my body, dolloped the cream on and, when she was finished, said "Dessert is served." There were no spoons on the table so Kate just pitched in with her tongue. The others soon followed and there was a feeding frenzy, licking and biting all over my body. It was all gone in moments, but I was in ecstasy. Anne served coffee while I went for a quick shower. We had a lovely evening after that discussing wedding arrangements. Christine said that I was to phone her anytime Carol was naughty and she'd come around and give her a good spanking. In fact she thought that perhaps she'd better come around anyway each week just to make sure. I was to keep a list of transgressions for which she was to be punished. Kate wanted to know how we were going to have sex. I stated with contempt that there was going to be none of that. Except, perhaps, when certain of my good friends came to visit. Kate beamed. "Where will you live?" asked Jean. "Here," I answered. "Carol can sell her place and move in straight away. There won't be enough room for two sets of clothes so she'll have to throw out all of her male things." "But I'll have to leave my job," she said. "What will we live on?." "I have an answer to that," said Kate. "My very good friend, Nina, the shopkeeper downstairs needs a girl to help part time. I'm sure you'd do just fine." After that, Jean and Anne left, Christine and Kate went back to Kate's place, supposedly to 'decide on wedding arrangements', then Carol and I were left. We stood and looked out of the window and up to the moon. "Are you happy?," I said. "Over the moon" came the happy reply. I asked Carol to stay. She said she had nothing to wear so I lent her a nightie and dressing gown. She slept in the spare room and I went to bed happy. Next morning, I went to see Nina in the shop to see if the offer of a job still stood. I told her Carol was a transvestite and would be marrying me and living upstairs. Nina knew all about it already. Kate was such a gossip. She thought it would be good to have a member of staff who would be keen and loyal. She asked if she could take Carol out the back for a good smack if she did anything wrong. "Of course," I said. "She's hired," said Nina and gave me the uniform. it was a green overall with a green and white gingham tabard and a gingham hat. So that's how she became my little flower girl. Each day, I come home from the library to pick her up from the shop. Nina always looks sad when it's time to leave. Carol always looks relieved. I must say her bottom is always very red. I don't know whether she does a lot of silly things in the shop, but Nina seems happy with her. Kate has booked the honeymoon in Thailand, where Carol's talents will be appreciated. Jean and Anne have arranged the ceremony. I particularly like the part about obeying and serving. Christine, or rather 'Mum' has arranged the dress. I haven't been allowed to see it but Kate says Carol looks sensational. As for me, well I've changed a lot. I've got rid of all my old frumpy clothes. In fact I've given them all to Carol. I'd like her to dress a little dowdily so she doesn't attract too many wolf whistles. I now wear short skirts and high heels. Most of the time, I wear a leather dress to work. Kate still comes in a lot. She wants to know what I'll be wearing to the wedding. I'm keeping it a secret but it will be all leather. I have the thigh boots now and am going out to get the rest of the gear this weekend. Tonight, I came home from the library and stopped outside the shop. Inside, I saw Nina bossing Carol around and Carol looking very flustered. Then Nina took Carol in her arms and kissed her. Carol wriggled a bit but then stopped. I waited for them to part then walked in. Carol, flustered, went to get her coat. Nina told me that she was thinking about giving Carol a raise. She also said she'd like to take Carol out tonight. Carol came back and froze "I told her I'd have to ask you," she said, afraid. "That's alright," I said. "When should she be ready?" "I'll pick her up at eight," said Nina. "Have her back for midnight," I said. "She needs her beauty sleep." So we got her ready for her night out with the boss. I chose the sexiest underwear and fishnet stockings with that red dress, in which she looked so sensational. "Be good for your boss now," I ordered. "Keep her happy and, who knows, you may get that raise." Nina was on time and very eager. When she saw Carol, she grabbed her roughly and said "you're mine tonight, girl," and kissed her. Then she took some large ribbons from her bag and tied a big bow around Carol's waist and smaller bows around her wrists and ankles. She told me they were going back to her house and she promised to have Carol back on time. "What's the special occasion?" I asked. "Why are you doing Carol up in all those bows? She looks like she's gift-wrapped," I called after them as Nina hurried Carol into the car. "It's my husband's birthday," she smiled. -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo- She sipped the last of her gin and finally took her feet off her footstool, Peony. "Well I am so glad you called round, Rita," I said. "I had been so worried about you lately. You have changed so much and so quickly. I am so glad you took the time to confide in me." "Well there is another reason I came," she said, reaching into her handbag. "I brought you this." She handed me an envelope, which I opened. "Mrs Christine Morgan and Ms Katherine De Montfort - Invite - Miss Penelope Primrose and Miss Fern Mundy - To the wedding of their Son - Carol (formerly David) - And - Miss Rita Lacey." "Why thank, you Rita," I said, rather taken aback. I even forgot to think about new shoes and new hat! "I would be honoured to come. But why have you made this invitation out to Fern as well. You've never met her." "Pen," she said, leaning over and holding my hand. "I'm not a complete fool. I have read too many romantic novels not to notice the signs. You mention Fern practically every week when you come in. Your face lights up every time. I know you have several girls but I do know how special she is to you. Bring her. Have a lovely time. Carol will be under strict instructions to throw her posy in Fern's direction." Now as those of you who know me will tell, I am never stuck for words - apart from that moment, that is. She filled the silence. "Peony, do be a darling and fetch my coat." Peony rose and scurried out. "I hope to be invited round soon to dinner with you and young Fern. Perhaps you can try out that dessert. I will bring the dish." She winked. "I will e-mail you the recipe. You can handle e-mail, can't you, Pen? Don't worry. Just ask Fern. She'll do it." I heard myself saying nothing. "Have I shocked you, Pen?" she said. "In more ways than one," I stuttered. "Just think about it." She said. "It all makes sense. Now it's her birthday in a short while isn't it? What better birthday present for the girl. How old will she be?" "Nineteen," I replied. "Yes do come round to dinner you two. It would be a lovely idea. I had planned to take her to the theatre, but it would be good for her to meet you. And maybe I could meet this future wife of yours." "It's a date then," she said. "I'll pop into the office next week to see you for lunch. You've been asking long enough. I have an idea for a birthday present for her and would like to get an idea of whether it would fit." "Of course, Rita. I will look forward to it." "Meanwhile, I will see you in the library tomorrow," she said. "Your book is due and I have a recipe book you might like to take out next." I kissed her on the cheek as Peony helped her on with her coat. "Goodnight, Pen," she said, as Peony showed her to the door. I smiled as she left just as the hall clock struck ten. Very quickly finishing the last of the gin, I cleared the glasses and followed Peony to the hall. "Come on, girl," I said. "Let's get you changed and on your way. Your wife will think I have kidnapped you or something." "You have been a good girl today," I said in the dressing room as she was folding her things. "Thank you for all you have done. Have you locked up?" "Yes Miss. Miss, may I be so bold?" she asked, removing her makeup. "Do you want to ask me something, sugar? Do go on." "Will you be needing anyone to serve at Miss Fern's birthday dinner? I would be very willing and I could ask Violet if she's free too." "That is a very kind offer." I said, helping her with her eye makeup. "I will check in my diary and get back to you." As the half hour struck on the clock, I helped Peony on with her coat at the front door. "Do give my regards to your wife," I said. She hesitated on the path and came back. "Listen to your friend, Rita," she said. "You do deserve all of the happiness in the world. You spend so much time thinking of others." "Don't forget your station, Peony my silly little maid!" I scolded her. "Sorry, Miss," she said. But I smiled and gave her another kiss on the cheek. This time I left the lipstick mark. Let her wife wipe that one off, I thought. She'll know it was deliberate as I am never normally that sloppy. As Peony's car lights faded down the road, I smelled the cool night air. Then, closing the door and turning to wind the clock, I thought of one thing I needed to do before bed. I crossed to the study and found my library book. I had left it on the hall table next to the door. -oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-oOo-