Living Together

‘He would,’ Helen frowned. ‘He’s as immoral as the rest of them.’

‘Brent’s all right, now that he knows I have no intention of sleeping with him.’

‘You see what I mean? I don’t think—’

‘Go and dry your hair,’ Jenny cut in. ‘We don’t have time for one of your lectures right now. I’m going to have a bath, you paint your nails.’

‘I thought you wanted me to dry my hair.’

‘All right, dry your hair, then paint your nails,’ and she disappeared into the bathroom.

Helen moved mechanically to do as Jenny

had told her. She always ended up doing as Jenny suggested, and she couldn’t possibly take offence because it was always done so goodnaturedly. Besides, in the long run it was easier to agree than argue about it.

She dried her hair in soft black waves, adding a light make-up but leaving her deeply violet eyes as the only colour in her face, huge violet eyes like beautiful pansies. She had been right about the gold dress, it did cling revealingly to her breasts—too revealingly, the plunge neckline showing a creamy expanse of her firm flesh.

‘You look great,’ Jenny enthused. ‘Turn round, let me see the back.’

Helen did so. ‘It’s too tight up here,’ she grimaced down at her bust.

‘It’s perfect,’ Jenny admired the just-below-knee-length dress on her cousin.

Helen’s eyes widened as she took in the skimpy creation Jenny was wearing, its black Grecian style only just decent. ‘You aren’t actually going out in that?’ she gasped.

Jenny grinned impudently. ‘Lovely, isn’t it?’

Helen raised her eyebrows. ‘I can think of another word for it. People are going to get the wrong impression of us in these clothes.’

‘Nonsense,’ Jenny dismissed. ‘You’ll see, we’ll be overdressed compared to some people.’

She was proved correct when they arrived at the party. Several of the women there were so skimpily dressed they might just as well not have bothered. Nevertheless, Helen felt very selfconscious in her borrowed gown, trying hard to fade into the background of this flamboyant party.

She had no doubt that when it didn’t have dozens of people crushed into it this penthouse apartment was very luxurious and spacious, much too big for one man. She hadn’t met their host yet, and doubted if she would in this crowd. She gratefully accepted the drink someone handed to her and then retreated to a safe corner. Half a dozen couples were attempting to dance, if what they were doing could be classed as such, and she wished them luck.

‘Great party, isn’t it?’ Jenny beamed, her green eyes avidly searching the sea of faces.

‘Is it?’ Helen returned dryly.

‘Fantastic!’ her cousin enthused. ‘Can you see Leon Masters anywhere?’

‘I haven’t looked.’

‘Well, start,’ Jenny encouraged.

‘Why?’ Helen asked uninterestedly.

‘Because he’s gorgeous.’

‘That’s a matter of opinion.’

Jenny’s eyes widened in disbelief. ‘Don’t you think so?’

Helen shrugged. ‘I suppose so. Although he’s a bit over the top, isn’t he?’

‘Over the top?’ Jenny frowned.

‘Well, he’s too much. Too tall, too rugged, too good-looking—’