Free London Harmony: Doghouse by Erik Schubach Page B

wild urge to kiss the back of her hand.  Not now Liza, get your libido under control, you need your passport.        She said, “Jennifer.  Scratch huh?”
    I nodded and asked, “Will Fran be working tomorrow?  It is really important.”
    She shook her head and grinned almost in a tease as she tapped the lettering on the door that read 'Meetings by appointment only', and said, “Sorry, it's the golden rule, that's why it is written in gold.”
    I was about to explode into cartoonish sputtering of nonsense noises.  This was so frustrating and these women all seemed to be having fun tormenting me.  She came to my rescue.  “I suppose you could convince me to give her a message.”  I could see her fighting a smile.
    I exhaled and grinned, “You Jennifer, are an evil woman.”  She tittered at that and I handed her my card.  “Could you please give this to her?  I would really appreciate it.”
    She looked at my card, flipped it front to back then nodded once and slipped it into her purse.  “I will make sure she gets it, but no promises whether she calls you or not.”  Then she tilted her head in curiosity. “What is it that Scratch has of yours?”
    I looked at her and blushed, I didn't want to tell her, but I have a weakness for a pretty face.  I mumbled, “My passport.”
    She tilted her head back and laughed, it was musical.  Then she shook her head like it happened every day.  She teased, “You really shouldn't go giving your passport out to people, Eliza.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, thanks for that insight Jen.  You're the second person today to tell me that.”  Then I added facetiously, “It has been a... pleasure.  Have a great evening.”
    She sashayed off with a crooked grin on her face, calling back over her shoulder, “It was nice meeting you, Eliza.”
    I called back to her, “Liza!”  She just raised a hand in the air without looking back and gave a royal wave of acknowledgment as she turned the corner.  I hate myself for the silly grin on my face.  I actually liked the woman even though she stonewalled me like that evil little, overly cute, pixie did.  Amy was so damn frustrating, but my mind kept circling back to her and the way her messy ponytail hung off center.
    I squished my lips off to the side and exhaled heavily out my nose then walked back toward the bus stop.  This has been an interesting day for sure.

Chapter 6 – Evil Pixie
    The next day, I got a call from Amy before noon, saying she had a message from Fran for me.  When I pressed her on what it was, she said, “Buy me lunch if you want the message.”
    Grrr.  “Fine.”
    She gave me directions to a little American style roadside diner, Cavendish's Cafe.  I don't have much, but I dressed in my best for some reason I could not fathom and headed out.  Before long I arrived at the little diner.  It was done up in nineteen fifties style.
    I stepped in and Amy was waiting just inside the door.  I grinned at her as she looked off to my left and returned my grin.  I inclined my head and said, “Amarissa.”
    She inclined her head in turn and said in a royal voice, “Eliza.”
    Then I asked, “What is Fran's message?”
    She shook her head and looped an arm in mine and dragged me forward into the diner.  “That's not the deal, lunch first woman.”  She was strong.  I don't think I could have stopped her if I tried, but to be completely honest, I wasn't trying very hard at all.
    I muttered, “Okay, okay, you little pipsqueak.”  This got a giggle from her.
    A waitress that walked up with menus.  “Two, Amy?”  She noted Amy's arm looped in mine and she went a little doe-eyed.  Oh dear lord, another romantic.
    Amy nodded and chirped like a chipmunk, “Yes, please.”
    The woman led us to a back booth where we could have some privacy, the lunch crowd was starting to fill the place, it must be popular.  I looked at the menu and was pleasantly surprised my butt didn't pucker at the