CHAPTER 234: Dinner At Eight

Class had ended and Joanna was thankful that it had...now she had a clear weekend ahead of her.  After finding her early psychology work easier than she expected, her second semester was ramping up the workload and complexity.  This week's lectures, seminars and coursework were much harder.

She heard a voice behind her calling out her name.  Turning around she saw that it was her fellow psychology student, Pace Tye, calling to her.

"Joanna...wait up!  It's been a while since I last saw you" he said as he jogged up to her.

"I've had to hit the ground running this semester.  It's nothing personal although it's real good to see you" she said with a suggestive smile and tone in her voice as she looked him up and down with approval. 

"Are you going into Darby's now?" asked Pace.

"Yeah...if you are?" was Joanna's expectant reply.

"I sure am.  After you..." he said, making a gesture to usher her in that direction.  She led the way but he opened the door to Darby's Den for her.

They found a sofa to sit down on where they could continue their conversation.  The Den was a hive of activity from people having their main meals to a couple of people debating just around the corner from where Joanna and Pace were sitting and they had attracted a crowd.  Others were sitting around and talking by the fireplace.

"So, am I right in thinking you've got Professor Fen for psych?" asked Pace.

"Yeah...he's a real taskmaster, you know?  I mean, he's OK in some ways and I'm learning a lot from him but he keeps bugging me about how I express myself." Joanna replied. 

"And how do you express yourself to him?"

"I kind of use a lot of street slang and shit like that..."

"Including profanities"

"You mean I swear a lot?  Yeah, I shoot the shit a lot 'cos that's the way I grew up:  You had to have a big mouth or else you got nuffin'.  Catch my drift?"

Pace smiled "Yeah, I dig it but cats like Fen want a lot of flowery, high falutin' words and terms.  I'm in my second year here and I've had all my rough edges smoothed out..." he said, making a smooth gesture with his hand.  "When I go back home my folks can hardly understand what I'm saying.  To them I now sound like Laurence Olivier!" he added with a chuckle.

Joanna let out a little laugh as well but inside she felt awkward.  Her lack of polished language was yet another sign of her rough upbringing and she was keen to get away from the pain and sadness of those years.

Pace in the meantime had picked up a book and handed it to her.  "Go on" he said "if you want to sound more sophisticated and collegiate read a few fancy poems" and he nodded at the book she was now holding.

"I'll borrow this and read it tonight" she replied.

"No.  Now.  And out loud as well.  No good reading it to yourself alone in your home because you've already shown you're smart and understand the coursework.  Now you have to sell your ideas by saying them out loud to other people."  Pace then turned his attention to the microphone stand that was nearby and Joanna saw what he was looking at.

"You're not serious..." she said, smiling suspiciously at him.

"Oh I certainly am.  Do a live poetry recital right here, right now" he replied.

"I'll look like a ditz" she said.

"This place is loaded with them...go on, have a gas with it.  I dare you"

Joanna was never one to back down from a dare so she took the book, stood up and walked to the microphone, opened up the book at a random page and started to recite one of the poems.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud....oh come off it!  Seriously?" she said.

"Keep going, you're doing OK" said Pace, trying to be encouraging.  Joanna took a deep breath and continued.  

"...That floats on ooer...is that 'ooh-er' or 'oh-errr'?"

"It's short for 'over'"

"Then why not write 'over'?  It'll still scan"

"It's called 'poetic licence'"

"I'll take your word for it...let's read on.  Hey, this isn't bad once you get over the first two lines.  I get it; this dude digs nature."

"And he's really into daffodils.  It's by a Limey called Wordsworth and if you read works by him and by some of his contemporaries you'll enrich your writing skills."

"Can you recommend any American poets?"

"Walt Whitman.  He's pretty much the go-to guy.  You could try the beat poets like Furlinghetti but they write like you talk now."

"I'll read Whitman for tips and Furlinghetti for fun" said Joanna, nodding.

"I like your style" Pace replied.  Looking at Joanna in an admiring way he then said "how about we take a walk by the canal?"

"Yeah, I'd like that...although no making me do some kind of Shakespeare performance whilst we're there" she replied.

"It's beautiful along here.  I've been here one semester and I've only been to lectures, then Darby's, then Pepper's Pub and finally back home.  I didn't know about this area." she said, taking in the tranquillity of this little bit of land around the back of Darby's Den.

"I come here when it gets too noisy back there" said Pace, jerking his thumb towards the main campus.  "They've tried to make the whole campus like those European ones with the network of canals, the granite buildings and the ornate gardens."

Joanna took it all in but said nothing.  She still had to pinch herself to remind her that she was a college girl now and that her everyday life was going to be nothing like she had ever known.  She also worried that she was coming across as an unsophisticated slob to Pace...he was having to explain everything to her, everything that other people from better homes took for granted.

 

"Do you like it here?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's neat...I don't mean to make it sound like not much but I've already said it was beautiful here and I don't want to repeat myself." she replied.

"I meant do you like it at Britechester?"

"Oh that!  Yeah, I dig it.  It's challenging, sure, but it's stretching my mind in ways I didn't expect but that's what I want.  That's why I came here."

Pace nodded.  "That's what I like about you, Joanna.  You've got drive, energy and a will to succeed."

No one had ever said that to her before; not even Action and certainly not any of her family.  All she could respond with was a shy "thanks".

"Say, are you free this evening?" he suddenly said.

"I haven't anything scheduled" she replied.

"Would you like to go out for dinner with me?  I was thinking of somewhere off campus, somewhere nice and groovy."

"I'm up for that" she said, her thoughtful expression changing to a sultry smile.

"Dinner at 8?  I'll pick you up from your place."

"You got a date, Mister" she said.  A dinner date!  Hell yeah!

She went home, showered and looked for something fancy to wear but she only had one "formal" dress, or at least a dress that could be worn to swanky places and she had bought that back in the springtime...before she came into her inheritance and when she was still on the game.  It was the dress she wore to impress clients.

Nevertheless it was her one smart dress and still a damn fine one so she wore that with a pair of white heels and white fishnets to complete the look.  Along with styling her hair differently, some striking make up and a pair of brand new earrings she was all ready to be wined and dined by Pace.

She saw him walk up the driveway to the front door and noticed he polished up very nicely in his drainpipe pants, sky blue blazer and narrow black tie.  The blazer was tailored in such a way that it showed off his lean frame and broad shoulders and she liked it.

Joanna opened the door and stood in the doorway, a hand on her hip in a seductively expectant manner.  Pace stopped in his tracks for a moment to take in her beauty.  "Whoa, you look sensational" he said.

"You're not so bad yourself" she said, smiling.

"I'm parked just there, would you care to be escorted?" he said, offering his arm.  She smiled and took it.  'Escort'....she thought....it had a different meaning in her world.

They drove to Newcrest where there were a number of restaurants, many of which were high quality.  Pace parked up and the two, yet again, walked arm in arm to the place where Pace had booked a table.  Joanna, however, recognised where they were going.

"Oh, the Villa Bovine!" she exclaimed.

"Do you know it?" Pace replied. 

"Um, yes.  I've been here once or twice before" she stammered in reply.  Yes, she had been here before but with clients.

"Great!  I've not been but it comes highly recommended.  Maybe you can suggest what's good on the menu"

I don't really remember the menu, Pace... she thought to herself.

As the two of them were chatting away a family of three very blonde white people barged past Joanna and Pace and entered the Villa Bovine.  

"Say, what's that little princess' problem?" said Joanna in annoyance as the daughter, a very snooty blonde girl who was dripping with a sense of self-superiority, swanned past her and making bodily contact along the way.  There were no apologies or acknowledgement from the girl that she had bumped into Joanna.

"Relax, Joanna.  No need to sweat it.  You don't want to lock horns with a teenager." Pace replied.

Joanna was still glaring at the girl and noticed once she'd got inside her expression changed from haughtiness to sadness.  There was definitely some kind of discord in that family, Joanna thought.

Pace opened the door for Joanna and ushered her into the restaurant.  The maitre d' took a look at the couple and his facial expression wasn't warm or friendly.

Pace went up to him and said "Table for two under the name of Tye"

The maitre d' looked at his booking list and hummed.  "Hmmmmmmmm, no sir.  I don't have anything under that name."

"What?  I called earlier!  Check again!" said Pace.

"Is there a problem?" Joanna said as she approached the podium.  The maitre d' gave her a harsh look and Joanna could tell he recognised her.

"As I was explaining to your....gentleman associate...we have no record of your booking and, as you can see, we are fully booked tonight" The man had said the words 'gentleman associate' with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.  Oh he knew who Joanna was alright...she thought.

"Listen, Mac, is this a race thing?  Don't you serve coloured people in here or what?" said Pace with anger in his voice.

"Certainly not, sir!  I can assure you we comply with the Civil Rights Act here!" The maitre d' looked behind him, towards the outdoor seating area at the back of the restaurant where a black man, Asian lady and their mixed race daughter were seated and being served with civility by the staff.

Joanna looked at the family, then to the maitre d'.  "It's not us...well, it's not you, Pace.  Isn't it, Mister?" she said to the man.

"Madam is correct.  This is a high class and family environment." the maitre d' replied, still in that stern and haughty tone.

"Wait...I don't get it" said a very confused looking Pace.

"I'll explain outside, Pace..." said Joanna.

This time it was Joanna's turn to usher Pace outside.  He was confused and bewildered by what had happened.  It wasn't racial but something to do with his date.

"Pace...it's about time I told you the truth about me" she said. 

"The truth?" Pace was astonished and dreaded what was to come.

"Let's sit down over here and I'll tell you all about it.  Now I happen to have crossed paths with that Maitre d' before and he knows a bit about my past.  You see, I used to come here with clients"

"Clients?"

"Yes.  Gentlemen clients.  It's like this, Pace, how do I put this nicely as possible but honestly at the same time?  I was....I was a professional escort."

"Escort?  As in..."

Joanna leant close to Pace and whispered in his ear "I was a hooker"

"A HOO....erm, I mean *a hooker*" he whispered.  "No!  You?  I can't believe..."

Joanna just nodded.

"But...you...I mean...you're so don't seem the type!  You're intelligent..."

"A lot of hookers ain't dumb, Pace.  I told you; I'm from the streets and I grew up rough.  There weren't a lot of options for a black girl with my looks in a neighbourhood controlled by crime and gangs.  It's like I didn't have a choice."

Pace didn't say anything at first but looked down at the ground.  When he looked up to Joanna he had a pleading, searching look in his eyes.

"You didn't lie...you just left out some details.  So the stuff about the inheritance?"

"That's all true and it was my escape out of that ghetto" she said.  "I used the money to move to a better part of town, get an education and cut all my ties with my past.  I have no parents, no other family and no one I want to remain in contact with."

"It makes sense now...that guy who came up to you at the Waterside Warble...he was..."

"One of my old Johns.  Look, Pace.  If you want to end this evening and whatever we had cooking between us, I understand.  I come with a lot of baggage and I certainly ain't no virgin either."

Pace drew a deep breath and looked Joanna in the eyes.  "I'm no choirboy either.  What kind of free spirit and live and let live kind of guy would I be if I held someone's past against them...especially when they're trying to start a new life?  No.  I thank you, Jo, for being candid with me.  I can handle this....I hope I don't come across as too stuck up?"

Joanna smiled.  "Not at all.  So...what now?" she said.

"I promised you a nice evening out and that's what you'll get." Pace replied.  "The only thing is, where?"

"I know a place that's still open at this time of night and who won't turn us away..." said Joanna.

"Two of your finest bowls of chilli with a side order of tacos, my good man"

"Hey, Joanna...look at you all dressed up fine like that.  Two bowls and some tacos, comin' right up."

As the street vendor got her order he still chatted away to her.

"I thought you didn't hang around here no more?" he said.

"I don't...usually.  I moved to Willow Creek and enrolled at Britechester U."  She replied.

"Good for you, little lady.  I always knew you were too good for this place...I don't mean stuck up, I mean you always had it in you to do better.  And that guy over there?"

"He's my boyfriend.  I don't turn tricks no more.  I should say 'anymore' as I'm a college girl now and should talk like one."

"He looks a smart guy...college as well?"  Said the vendor, handing over the food to Joanna as she paid him.

"He's waaaay smarter than me and, yeah, that's how we met.  On campus.  Anyway you take care:  Great to catch up with you" she said, winking at the old man before taking a seat next to Pace.

"Hey there..." she said to Pace.  "...I know it's none too fancy but you can always get a seat here."

Pace took a taste of chilli and nodded "My compliments to the chef....and to my date for saving this evening"

"Saving?  I thought I ruined it" Joanna replied.

"Nah...it'd take a lot more than being refused a table at a restaurant and finding out your date was...well...I won't elaborate...it would take a lot more than that to ruin my evening with you."

"I can't get rid of you that easily, huh?"

"Only if you want to get rid of me first"

Pace finished his meal and stood up.  "I get where you've come from but I always look forwards, never backwards.  I think we've got a lot of groovy things going for us; I feel a vibe, a connection.  I hope you feel it too but if you think the past and the fact that I now know something of it is too much of a barrier I will split and maybe we'll see each other on campus as just friends."

"Pace...I'm going forwards as well.  I'm sitting here, looking around this old hood and although some of the old friendly faces remain I feel no attachment to it.  I do feel an attachment to you, though.  You've been like a guide, helped me navigate my way around the campus, deal with the rich kids and the old money...heck, what's the word for someone who helps you like that?"

"Mentor?"

"Yeah, that's it.  You've been a mentor and now, hopefully, something more..."

"A lover?"

"You're a bold one Mister Pace Tye.  So let's move things along to where we both know this is heading.  We could go back to your college room where no doubt your dorm mates are chugging beers and singing rude songs or we could go back to my nice, private and quiet house...." she said, smiling at him seductively.

It turned out to be a good choice as Pace was impressed by her home.  "Now this is a groovy pad.  Interesting and nice to look at...it reflects you well." he said.

"Would you like a nightcap, Pace?" she asked.

"I'm good thanks...how about we skip that part and move straight on to..."

No words needed to be exchanged.  The two of them were utterly focussed on each other with no room for small talk.  They held each other in a warm, increasingly passionate embrace, kissing, fondling and gazing at one another until they had lost all track of time.  Then things reached their inevitable culmination.

It was later, as the hour approached midnight, that the first words were spoken since that first kiss.

"Pace...would you stay with me the night?" she said, softly.

He realised the significance of those words.  By staying he would be a lover, not a client.  He saw a pleading look in her eyes that told him that sex with her would be consensual and loving with no trace of a transaction or business to it.  He stroked the side of her face.

"Of course I will.  I'm not going anywhere tonight" he said.  She smiled warmly at him and whispered "Thank you".

He laid back down in the bed and she snuggled next to him, with him putting his arms around her before they both fell asleep.

The next morning they arose...not knowing what time it was but as it was a Saturday it didn't matter.  Pace went to the bathroom and after he had finished he found Joanna standing in front of him.  He was naked but she still had her underwear on.

"Hey there...you have me at a disadvantage" he said, looking down at his exposed privates and looking around for something to give him some modesty.  The only thing to hand was a tea towel.

"I do indeed..." she said, saucily before kissing him passionately.

When they broke apart she said "Thank you for last night.  It means a lot to me that you accept me for who I am."

Pace smiled but said nothing.

"Hmmm, I think I need a new bed.  My shoulders are sore this morning" she said, grimacing and touching her left shoulder.

"We were quite physical last night..." said Pace.

Joanna let out a short laugh "yeah, I guess we were".

"Now as it so happens Pace Tye has healing hands..." he said, immodestly.  "Turn around and let's get that knot out of your shoulder..."

This was looking to be the start of a beautiful relationship.

CHAPTER 230: Friendly Neighbourhood Summer Holliday

The last day of Summer was a wistful time at the BFF household.  Liberty, as was her wont, was dreaming about the stars, the Moon and her boyfriend.  She thanked her blessings that she had a loving companion, good friends and the most amazing job anyone could wish for.

 

Summer and Travis were in the kitchen talking about wedding preparations.  It was now a month to go before they tied the knot and there were seemingly endless tasks still to do.

Whilst Travis just wanted the thing over and done with, Summer was relishing the planning and had typed out list after list of what needed to be done.  The church had been booked, and the catering, music and a whole slew of other things but now it was a matter of chasing up those invited guests who had been slow or unresponsive in replying.  She was loving all of this right down to exercising vigorously in order to maintain her shapely figure so the wedding dress would still fit. 

Travis brought her a cup of coffee and said "Summer...don't burn yourself with all this.  We've got all the things sorted that we need to sort out:  Let's just coast and relax before our big day."

"Relax?  Travis we have dozens of little tasks left to do!  The little name cards for each guest at the reception still needs chasing up.  The florist gave us square centrepiece vases instead of round...that will clash with the shapes of the tables!"

This sailed completely over Travis' head.  "OK, if you're sure you want to go down this route to madness, be my guest.  I'm heading off to work now; don't wear yourself down." he said.

Summer finished typing out her revised wedding schedule, showered and got dressed and then decided that she would check in on all her friends.  She didn't want to be alone at home on her day off because that was boring.  Once dressed, she went to visit Barbara and Jeremy but they weren't in:  It was probably another busy day at their shop.

Next she moved on to visiting Action who was at home, albeit in a somewhat undressed state...

"Come on in..." boomed Action.  "...Excuse my state; I worked the nightshift last night."

"That's cool..." she replied, noticing his bulging biceps for a moment before recovering her senses.  "How did it go?"

"The usual:  Muggers, hookers, drunks and pimps for the most part.  I'm still working these two murder cases though and I think I may be close to a breakthrough."

"I can't imagine doing your job.  You need to be tough, I guess.  Tough and well built to handle anything..." she said, her voice trailing off when she saw his muscular physique again.

"I keep in shape because you never know who or what is coming at you next!" he said, with steely growl in his voice.

"Hmmm, I can't say I relate to that but it's so nice that the police department have you working on our side."

They discussed his work and her wedding plans, which were two topics diametrically opposite to each other.  After 20 minutes, and Action saying he really needed to take a shower, Summer decided to pay a visit to another neighbour.

She found Julia looking bleary eyed and surrounded by medical textbooks and journals.

"Sorry the place is in such a mess..." Julia said by way of apology but to Summer the house seemed in pristine order with the exception of all the books lying around.

"No need to apologise, Jules.  Say, I could help you put this stuff away and do a bit of tidying." said Summer, ever her cheerful self.

"That's kind, Summer, but I'm sure you have more important things on your mind like your wedding preparation." said Julia.

"Well, yes, but I've done all I can on that front for now which is why I'm visiting all my friends today!"

"I welcome the break from the studies" Julia replied.  "And how's Travis coping with the wedding planning?"

Summer let out a sigh.  "He's relaxed...maybe TOO relaxed about it.  He doesn't want to get too involved in the planning though:  He just thinks all that happens is that we show up at the chapel and that's that.  He's leaving most of the work to me.  I just hope he doesn't go on another eating binge and he ends up not being able to fit into his suit!"

"Sounds like some of my uncles!  In my family, we have so many festivals, get togethers and special events my mother is a mistress of organisation:  Rumour has it she was on General Eisenhower's staff during the war...SNORT!" She laughed in her unusual, nasal style.

"Well, she will sure come in handy when it comes time for you to get married!" said Summer but Julia's smile suddenly vanished when she said that and Summer immediately recognised that romance was a subject that made Julia uncomfortable.

"Sorry to mention that, Jules."

"No...no...you made a reasonable point that most people wouldn't think twice about...it's my hang up, I know.  It's not like I never want to get married but...it's difficult to explain.  I just hate the process of courting, that's all."

"One day it'll all come together for you, I'm sure, Jules." Summer nearly patted Julia on the knee as a way of encouragement but thought better of it.

"...let me help with that pile of dishes" Summer added.

Next on her list of people to visit, it was the turn of their newest neighbour, Joanna.  She was a college student but lived off campus so she could usually be found in half the time.

"Come on in, excuse the mess..." came Joanna's voice after Summer had knocked on the door.  When Summer went inside she thought the place looked great and couldn't see any mess.

"You shouldn't apologise...you've got the place looking great OH MY GOSH WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?"

Summer suddenly caught sight of Joanna and the girl was covered head to foot in a thick layer of soot.

"Yeah, excuse the mess...I mean, me" Joanna replied.  "I was clearing out the chimney and...well...I got it wrong and the soot came rushing down and covered me, and the kitchen.  Now I'm having to clear it all up.  Have a seat."

"So how's college going?" asked Summer.

"Great...I've never experienced anything like it.  Such a world away from what I'm used to but the course is really interesting and it's keeping me busy." Joanna replied.

"I never went to college" said Summer.  "I spent a year at catering school but that's what I like:  Hospitality and all that."

"Well you've got your big day and all that.  That's one heck of a catering event!"

"Yes it's going to be and I've personally scrutinised and chosen the meal and canapes.  Listen, Joanna, when I got engaged you'd only just moved in and we didn't know you well but these last couple of months have seen us get friendlier and you're now part of our little community.  We still have a couple of places left at our wedding:  Would you like to come as our guest?

"Yeah, sounds cool.  I've never been to a fancy wedding before.  Thanks, Summer." said Joanna, her face lighting up with joy.

"Never been to a wedding before?  Wow." replied Summer, slightly shocked.

"It's just that where I grew up, people didn't tend to get married..."

Summer hadn't realised just what an impoverished background Joanna hailed from before.  It was eye opening to get a glimpse into a world of poverty, desperation and the grim life of the ghetto.  After leaving the cosy confines of Foundry Cove she headed over to the more wealthy and genteel neighbourhood of Courtyard Lane:  Home of her second best friend, Suzy, and her husband Neil.

Being married and moving away from Foundry Cove hadn't hurt their friendship and Suzy was overjoyed to see her friend.

"Summer, wonderful to see you.  Now how is everything going with the Big Day?  Let me tell you from experience that the last month just races by!"

"Yep...I feel there's no going back now!  I've been going through a rollercoaster of emotions from initial excitement, feeling overwhelmed, purposeful and now I can't wait for the day itself!"

"And how's Travis bearing up?  No cold feet from him?" Suzy joked.

"Oh he's being his usual self:  'maintain an even strain' as he says.  He's not as gushing as I am about getting married but I can tell he's keen on it."

"That's great..." Suzy was about to say something else but she was interrupted by the arrival of Neil."

"Honey, have you seen the Burnt Umber?" he called out.

"Erm...is that a shade of paint?  You left some tubes in the lounge; it could be there." Suzy replied.

Neil entered the lounge and he was startled to see Summer there; startled and embarrassed as he was still in his pyjamas.

"Oops, ahhh, yes.  Sorry about my, erm, appearance" he said apologetically as his cheeks turned red.  "It's just that I had a flash of inspiration for my latest painting and I just leapt out of bed this morning and forgot to shower and get dressed."

"No need to apologise, Neil" said Summer, turning her head away from him to spare him any further embarassment.

"I tell you what, Sum." said Suzy, standing up and clapping her hands.  "How about you and I go somewhere for a drink and a catch up and we'll leave our resident artiste to find his Burnt Umber?"

The place they settled on was the Rattlesnake Juice Bar; somewhere where they hadn't been for some time.  Suzy advised not going to a bar that was more local because of all the press attention she'd been receiving lately and that reporters had been known to camp outside of the Blue Velvet Nightclub.

The bar was busy but the girls found room to order a couple of glasses of wine and have a conversation without having to raise their voices in order to be heard.

"My advice for the big day..." said Suzy "...is make sure you can get a drink.  You'll be buffeted by family, friends, photographers and caterers all wanting to say congratulations or ask you questions and whilst they'll manage to get a drink quite easily, you won't.  So if you're feeling parched, you just give me the nod and I'll make sure you get a drink!"

"That's great advice, Suzy, and I'll remember about the nod." Summer replied.

"Excuse me, are you Suzy Kent?" said a young woman suddenly butting in to Summer's conversation with her friend.

"I am" said Suzy.

"I just love your column in 'Hey Wow' and congratulations on that big article in this month's issue.  I had no idea about the Landgraabs" continued the woman.

"That's nice of you to say so" said Suzy, respectfully.

Suzy returned to speaking with Summer.  "So can you give me a hint about what your dress is going to be like?"

"No.  That's a secret known by only me and Liberty..." said Summer.

"Hey, you're that Suzy Kent from that magazine!" said another woman, suddenly recognising her.

"Yes, yes I am.  Are you a fan?"

"A BIG fan...so, about Malcolm Landgraab..."

And it continued this way for about an hour.  Summer and Suzy would be talking and a fan would show up and interrupt them.  Suzy would always be polite and answer a couple of questions but to Summer it appeared that fame was starting to take over Suzy's life.

Eventually Summer said goodbye to Suzy and made her way home.  There was a small matter of bringing in the mail, which contained junk, bills and a few RSVP returns from wedding guests confirming their attendance.  As Summer checked her mailbox, an acquaintance stopped to say hello.

"Hello, it's Summer, isn't it?" said the woman who Summer recognised as model and night club hostess Tiffany Lawson.  They had met once earlier on in the Summer at Suzy's old house when she was being interviewed for Suzy's magazine.

"That's right:  You're Tiffany from the Lothario club" Summer replied.

"You've got a good memory.  I was just passing and thought I'd call in on Suzy but she doesn't live there anymore."

"No, she moved out and bought a house in Courtyard Lane with her husband" said Summer.

Tiffany nodded as she had been at the wedding herself.  "Yeah, that makes sense.  Going up in the world and all that.  I see she's doing really well after those articles about the Landgraabs.  Good for her"

"I can write down her new address and phone number if you like." said Summer, ever the helpful one.

"Thanks, yeah, that would be great.  And you're keeping well?" Tiffany asked.

"Sure...couldn't be better.  In fact I'm getting married myself soon." said Summer, beaming with pride.

"To that same guy you've been dating?  What's his name?  Trent?"

"Travis...and here he is now.  I'll go and write down those contact details for you" said Summer passing Travis on the steps as she went inside.

"Now I know you from somewhere..." Travis said to Tiffany.

"A lot of men say that" said Tiffany, raising an eyebrow in a suggestive manner.

"Don't tell me...It's...erm...were you in the news not that long ago?"

"Not the news but you're probably thinking of a magazine.  Shall I tell you?"

"No.  I'm keen to guess.  A magazine you say?  Hmm, not a music one.  What genre?"

"Men's lifestyle"

Travis thought for a moment before his eyes went wide.  He was about to say something as the penny dropped but Liberty, who had recently arrived back from work, suddenly interrupted him.

"From Suzy's wedding, Travis" she said.

"That must be it...although you seem more familiar from somewhere else" he said.  Summer then appeared on the porch and handed Tiffany a piece of paper with Suzy's phone number on it.

"Thanks, Summer.  I gotta go now but nice seeing you again...and you, Travis.  Meowwww" she said, mimicking a cat raising its paw.

Back inside the house the three housemates sat down for dinner and when Travis excused himself to go to the bathroom, Summer and Liberty could have a private talk.

"She's never been rude to me or anything like that but that Tiffany always rubs me up the wrong way.  There's something there, I can't put my finger on it, that doesn't seem right."

"If you ask me she always looks like she's on the prowl for men" replied Liberty.  "Not surprising considering she poses naked for magazines."

"I was asked to pose for Lothario magazine once..." said Summer.  Liberty just stared agog at her.

"Really?  How did that happen?" she asked, shocked at her friend's revelation.

"I once met Alan Cuffe and he asked me.  I said no, of course"

"Of course.  I wonder if Travis reads Lothario?" mused Liberty.

"Well, if he does he won't be doing so after October 8th, that's for sure!  I shall be enough for him." she said, haughtily.

Once the dishes had been put away and Liberty went off to do some reading before her bedtime, Summer and Travis found themselves alone in the kitchen together.  

"Travis my dear..." she began.  "Do you read Lothario magazine?"

He sensed a trap being set and gulped.  "Only for the articles, Summer my love"