Free Paper Doll by Janet Woods

hair. Her smile appeared when she realized where they were and her fingers raked her hair into a semblance of order. ‘Home already,’ and was it his imagination or was there a note of regret in her voice.
    ‘Thanks for your help, Julia. I don’t know how I would have managed without you, especially where the eating arrangements were concerned. You’re very practical.’
    ‘Thank you, and it was my pleasure. Aren’t you coming in?’
    ‘No . . . I’ve got about two hours left of daylight to get this car unpacked. Tell your father I’ll clean the car and take it back to the garage in the morning.’
    ‘Oh, the garage will clean it for you.’ She smiled at him. ‘It was fun, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Yes, I suppose it was.’
    ‘Couldn’t you be a little more enthusiastic?’
    It had been more fun having her there to talk to than doing it alone, though he’d exposed his emotions when he shouldn’t have and embarrassed himself – her as well, he imagined. She’d been surprisingly sympathetic.
    ‘I enjoyed your company . . . and yes, it
was
fun.’ He placed a kiss on her peachy mouth, remembered he wasn’t ready to get involved, and quickly withdrew.
    He left the engine running and went round to open the passenger door for her. When he realized his mistake and turned back, she was standing on the pavement with a grin on her face.
    ‘I can’t get out that side, remember.’
    ‘I do remember now.’ His mouth dried as he engaged her eyes with their long dark lashes. He struggled with a strong urge to kiss her again.
    Her chuckle said she knew it. ‘I thought you were going, Martin.’
    Then he remembered that it was he who’d set the rules. It would not be wise to become involved with her. If what had happened the day before was any indication, he wasn’t yet ready to handle a relationship, or commit himself emotionally to anyone. So he took a step back and inclined his head. ‘I am going. Thank you once again; your help was invaluable.’
    ‘Oh, you’ve stepped back into your business suit, how very annoying of you.’ She stepped forward into the space he’d vacated and kissed his cheek. Her eyes glittered like emeralds. ‘Take care, and have a happy New Year.’
    Everything retreated. Rooted to the pavement he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from hers. A pulse beat erratically against his temple reminding him he was still alive.
    There was a sudden swirl of grit and dead leaves around their ankles, carried by a fitful breeze. The lash of it broke the spell between them.
    ‘And you, Julia,’ and for some reason he felt like crying again. Sliding back into the car seat he controlled himself for as long as it took to engage the gears and drive off. The road blurred before his eyes as he left her, standing there staring after him.

Five
    A second honk on the horn took Julia to the window. She opened it a little and gazed down at the road. Charles, astride their conveyance, was parked in a pool of light under the street lamp.
    ‘I’ll just be a minute, Charles. Stop making such a racket.’
    ‘Is that any way to treat a swain? Get a move on, Julia, my love. It’s freezing out here.’ He revved the motor up.
    ‘In my day, gentlemen escorts picked their ladies up in time and at the door. They also introduced themselves to their parents,’ her father said, clearly disapproving. ‘Close the window, Julia. You’re letting the warmth out.’
    ‘Sorry.’ She kissed him. ‘Do I look all right?’
    ‘Perfect. You’re too good for that ill-mannered young man.’ He took her hand in his. ‘You will be careful, won’t you dear? Charles Curruthers has an unsavoury reputation.’
    She avoided his eyes, doubt slithering into her like a stream of cold slush. Talking about losing her virginity was much easier than actually going through with it, and now the time had nearly come she was nervous. Tosh! She thought. Irene had lost hers and was none the worse for it.
    ‘There will be a crowd of us,