'It never though of it that way,' she muttered.
'How's your typing?' he asked, but he didn't really seem too interested in her answer, he was more intrigued with how she moved, how she held her hands and his eyes lingered on the large, full curve of her upthrusting breasts.
'About sixty words a minute,' she lied because she had no idea how fast she could type.
'That'll do,' he told her. 'The job isn't very challenging, but maybe in time we could move you to something else. Well, Miss Blake, are you interested?'
'I'll take it,' she said, not bothering to ask the salary.
'Good, fill out these forms and you can begin today.'
Her hands were shaking as she filled in the blanks on the application and handed the papers back to him. His hand brushed against hers when he took the application and he grinned at her.
Gillian had never met a man like this Mr. Wiles, so sure of himself, and so obvious in his admiration for her figure. It made her feel uncomfortable but at least it assured her that she was still attractive and this felt good.
He showed her to her desk and introduced her to the other girls in the office.
'Watch out for him,' one of them warned. 'He's a big flirt and a pincher!'
She laughed and told them that she would be careful and thanked them for the warning.
'I see you're all set.' Jessica said, 'welcome to the ranks of the working people!'
'Thank you so much, Jessica,' Gillian said, a real emotion in her voice.
'This really helps finding a job right away.'
'Don't mention it, besides, I'm glad to have some one to travel back and forth and to work with.'
Gillian spent most of her first day just getting to know the routine in the office, but when it was about time to leave, Jessica told her that several of the men were going out for a drink and would like her to join them.
'I don't know,' she hesitated, 'Should I?'
'Come on, they're harmless and besides, it saves us some money. We won't be out too long.'
The girls put on their coats and followed the rest of the people to the 'lift'.
'We're meeting them across the street at this little pub. It's nothing fancy. but it's a nice place.'
The men were already there when they arrived and stood up to let them slide in the large booth. Jessica introduced her to everyone, and one young man said:
'I saw you in the office this morning, and I must say you're the prettiest addition we've had in some time.'
'Thank you,' she stammered. 'I know I'll like it there.'
One of the older men ordered a round of drinks and she began to relax for the first time in weeks. It was a strangely exhilarating feeling not to have to worry about cooking dinner, or clean B house. She was in London, working on her first job and she could do whatever she wanted to, she didn't have to wait for anyone or on anyone., They drank and talked, mostly about the office, the men all looking for her attention.
'Does your family live in London,' one of the men asked her, 'or are you here all alone?'
'Alone, I'm afraid, my family lives quite far from here.'
'I doubt that you'll be alone long,' another man laughed. 'Not with your appearance!'
She had never run into men like these in her life. They were so blunt, so open and obvious, yet she didn't find it offensive, in fact, it made her feel good. She couldn't remember the last time Peter had told her that she was beautiful, or even noticed that she was anything other than just there.
She was finishing her third drink when two of the men announced that they had to leave. but Jessica and two other were going to stay a while longer. Gillian's head felt light because she hadn't eaten anything since lunch and it was now close to seven o'clock.
'Stay with us,' one of the men told her. 'We can all get something to eat and then have some more drinks. After all, we have to celebrate your first night in London properly.'
She looked over at Jessica to see if she was going to come with them and she nodded and said: 'Sounds great, I'm for it.'
Jessica was sitting very close to the other man who appeared to be about forty. He was attractive in a rugged sort of way and Gillian could tell that his hand was resting on Jessica's knee.
'Don't mind the lovebirds,' the other man told her. 'They're the talk of the office, but it's nice to see two people so happy together!'
She wasn't sure what he meant, but she was certain that the other man was married, she had seen his ring, and she wondered if this was Jessica's ticket out of the hotel.
They ordered another round of drinks and she knew that she would have to get something to eat or she would be sick.
'I'm starved,' she admitted shyly, 'and I'm afraid that the drinks are making me dizzy. Will we be going soon?'
'Anytime you say,' her companion told her. 'In fact, we can leave right now and meet them love-birds at the restaurant, how's that?'
Jessica looked over at them and said that it was fine with her and that they'd be along shortly, so she let her date help her out of the booth and guide her to the door. His hand was strong on her arm, holding her firmly so that she wouldn't stumble and she was grateful, because her legs felt like rubber and her head was swimming, but once she was outside, the cold night air helped clear her head.
'It's just about theatre time now, we'll never get a taxi. The restaurant is just a few blocks away. Do you think you can make it if we walk?' he laughed, taking her hand.
'I think I'll be all right now,' she answered.
She looked up at her escort, studying his face. He had strong features, a firmly set chin and kind brown eyes with long lashes that any girl would love to have. His nose looked as though it had been broken, and his skin had a certain reddish tint as though he were blushing, but perhaps it was simply due to the cold.
'Has Jessica been with that other man long?' she finally asked him.
'I don't know for sure,' he replied. 'He's one of the salesmen in the office and away from home base most of the time. so I couldn't tell you how long it's been going on. Why?'
'I just wondered. I met her last evening and we haven't had much time to talk. I was wondering if he were someone special. She seems to be quite fond of him.'
'Jessica's quite a swinger. Gillian,' he said, searching her face. 'She gets around with a few of the men in the office, but don't let this worry you. She'll make sure you're not lonely… and so will I.'
She smiled up at him, he seemed so kind and warm and his voice was sincere.
'That would be very nice,' she said, 'London is a little overwhelming I'm afraid and I could use a friend.'
Ordinarily, she wouldn't have had the nerve to say something like that, she knew that it sounded forward or over-anxious, but the drinks had loosened her tongue and she felt very safe with this man, comfortable even, and she was determined that she was going to forget all about Peter and her past heartbreaks no matter what she had to do.
Finally they reached the restaurant, a small Hungarian place that looked quiet and nice. She could hear the violins playing delightful Hungarian folk music as they walked through the door.
'How charming,' she said, 'I've never been to a Hungarian restaurant before.'
'Wish I could have afforded something more luxurious, but on my salary, this is the best I can do,' he laughed and helped her with her coat.
'Good evening Mr. Jones,' a moustachioed Maitre D greeted him.
Gillian was glad that he had called him by name, because she had forgotten it, she had met so many new people that day.
'Greetings, Joseph,' her companion said 'The best table for us, we are welcoming a newcomer to this fair city.'
The Maitre d' smiled at her and said:
'Well, it didn't take you long to find excellent company. This way, please.'
'This is very kind of you,' she continued, 'You don't even know me, yet you bring me to such a beautiful place. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable back at the pub, as though we were intruding. Thanks for coming to my rescue.'
