Page 178 (1/1)

Whenev~r Richard returned to his parent’s ho, he would always leave the house on East Sixty - eighth Street to go and pick up sodale’s, normally a useless and unwanted item, simply so that he could let Jessie know that he was back in town; he had already given a pair of gloves to every relation he possessed That Friday, he told hisout to buy so, you can use your father’s,’ she said

’No, no, it’s all right,’ he said ’I’ll go and get some of my own We don’t use the same brand in any case,’ he added feebly ’I’ll only be a few dale’s andthe doo rs He kneould be seeing Jessie at seven thirty, but he could never resist a chance to chat with her Steve had told him once that love was for suckers He had written on his stea ’I am a sucker’ But when he reached Jessie’s counter, she was nowhere to be seen Maisie was standing in a coer nails, and he asked her if Jessie was still around Maisie looked up as if she had been interrupted froone hoone far I thought you were ton Avenue without reply~ ing He searched for Jessie a ho towards Fifth Avenue Since she obviously wasn’t going houiltily decided to follow her As she reached Scribner’s at Forty - eighth Street, he stopped and watched her go into the bookshop If she wanted so to read, surely she could find what she wanted froh theas Jessie talked to a sales clerk who left her for a few moments and then returned with two books He could just make out their titles : The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith and Inside Russia Today by John Gunther Jessie signed for them - that surprised Richard - and left as he ducked around the comer

’Who is she?’ said Richard out loud as he watched her enter Benders The door a distinct ih theas assistants fluttered around Florentyna with e which she had obviously been expecting She opened it to reveal a si dress Florentyna smiled and nodded as the assistant placed the dress in a brown and white box

Florentyna mouthed the words ’Thank you’ and turned towards the door without even signing for her purchase Richard waswith her as she ran out of the shop and ju the driver to follow her When the cab passed the san to feel queasy No wonder she had never asked him in The cab in front continued for another hundred yards and stopped outside a spanking new block of flats complete with a uniforer and astonishment, he juh which she had disappeared

That’ll be ninety - five cents, fella,’ said a voice behind him

’Oh, sorry,’ said Richard and thrust five dollars at hie

Thank you,’ said the driver ’Someone sure is happy today’

Richard ran to the door of the building and ed to catch Florentyna at the lift Florentyna watched the door slide open and stared at him speechlessly

’Who are you?’demanded Richard

’Richard,’ she sta

I never seeht opportunity’

’Like hell you were going to tellFlorentyna into her apart with a pack of lies for nearly three months Now the time has cory before and suspected that it was very rare He pushed his way past her brusquely and inspected the flat At the end of the entrance hall, there was a large living roorandfather clock stood opposite a side table on which there was a bowl of fresh flowers The room was beautiful, even by the standards of Richard’s own hoirl,’ said Richard ’I wonder which of your lovers pays for this’

Florentyna slapped hi ’How dare you?’ she said ’Get out of my home’