Free Swansea Summer by Catrin Collier Page A

mother’ll be working.’
    ‘It is just tea, Lily. Will you look at that rust and white polka dot. It’s gorgeous and only forty-two shillings but I haven’t any shoes that will match it.’
    ‘Shoe department is behind you,’ Katie advised.
    ‘I won’t have any money for rent if I carry on at this rate.’
    ‘What do you think of this?’ Lily held up a crimson shawl-collared cotton dress with a belted waist and wide skirt.
    ‘Stunning, and the colour will look great on you. I wish I could wear red,’ Judy answered wistfully.
    ‘Don’t tell me you still hate your hair.’
    ‘Half the staff in the BBC call me “Ginger”.’
    ‘If you don’t answer to it, they’ll stop,’ Lily counselled.
    ‘Besides, your hair isn’t ginger, it’s …’
    ‘Auburn.’ Judy pulled a lock forward and examined it. ‘I wish.’
    Katie looked towards the glassed-in staircase that connected the floors of the warehouse and led to the offices. ‘If you two are all right down here for a bit, I’ll nip up and see Mr Griffiths.’
    ‘I thought he gave you the day off.’ Judy abandoned the polka dot in favour of a dark-green taffeta evening dress.
    ‘He did, but he had an important meeting this afternoon and there may be notes to type up.’
    ‘Surely they can wait until Monday.’ Judy held the dress in front of her and considered the effect in a full length mirror.
    ‘Probably, but I’ll just check.’ Katie struggled to conceal her impatience. ‘Anyway, by the look of things you two are going to be here for the next hour or two.’
    ‘Where are the changing rooms?’ Judy asked.
    ‘Lily knows.’ Katie headed for the staircase.
    ‘Lock the door after me,’ Jack whispered to Helen. ‘Wait a couple of minutes, then leave.’
    ‘It’s going to take me at least fifteen minutes to dress and repair the damage to my make-up.’ Throwing her arms round his neck, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
    ‘Do that again and we’ll be here until Paddington.’
    ‘I can think of worse things.’ She smiled brazenly as he caressed her naked body.
    ‘And I can think of better.’
    ‘For instance?’
    ‘A comfortable double bed in a hotel room.’ He rubbed his hands over her arms as she began to shiver. ‘Did your Auntie Dot say anything about being able to eat meals in our room?’
    ‘She just said it was owned by a friend of hers and a great place for a honeymoon. Seeing as how she’s paying the first week’s bill as a wedding present, I didn’t like to ask any more, but’ – she smiled mischievously as Jack gently disentangled himself from her and handed her the underclothes she’d stacked neatly on the shelf next to the sink ‘- I’ve a suspicion that if they do, we’ll never get around to seeing any of the sights.’
    ‘Depends on what you mean by sights.’ He stroked her breast lightly with the back of his finger.
    ‘You know what that does to me.’ She shivered from more than cold.
    ‘Yes.’ He took her bra from her. ‘And that’s why I’ll help you dress.’
    ‘Tired?’ She feigned innocence.
    ‘Making sure you don’t catch pneumonia. I want you fit and active.’ He watched as she pulled on her panties, hooked her suspender belt and rolled her stockings over her legs. ‘Pretty underwear,’ he commented as she shook out her layered petticoat.
    ‘I hoped you’d like it.’
    ‘I do.’ As soon as she had fastened her skirt and blouse, he opened the door and peeped out cautiously. ‘See you in a few minutes.’
    ‘I’m missing you already.’
    ‘Katie, I told you not to come in.’ John left his desk and walked into the outer office as she opened the door.
    She dropped her gloves and handbag on to her desk. ‘I’m here with Judy and Lily. They’re buying up the warehouse.’
    ‘That’s good news for our cash flow.’
    She glanced into her in-tray as she sat behind her desk. It was empty, just as she’d left it on Friday night. ‘Did the meeting go well?’
    ‘I think so. I’ve