Lily smiled. ‘ Oh, Phyl! I wouldn’t know. This is the first shop-bought bouquet I’ve ever had. A bunch of sticky bluebells and an even stickier kiss from Billy Benson on a charabanc trip to Epping Forest in 1914 is the best I’ve done so far.’
‘Pity your first had to come from a rogue then. Yes — rogue. Look — do you see the writing fills the given space exactly? And he uses a thick-nibbed pen. He’s adjusted his normal style and tailored his message. It’s calculated to the tenth of an inch. He’s given it careful thought. I definitely don’t think he’s planning to have his wicked way with you, though. Out of the question. A man in his position — in the public eye, two or three more steps more to go on the ladder, would that be? He’s not going to risk the scandal of taking advantage of one of the female staff. Too much to lose. No, I reckon you’re safe as far as that goes. He’s not planning to twang your elastic.’ Phyl eyed Lily’s outfit with distaste. ‘Besides, I don’t expect he’s noticed there’s a pretty girl in there.’
‘Well, you may just be wrong, Phyl. I did come in for an inspection of sorts. He checked my height and weight and age. He rather insisted on seeing me without my hat. I thought he might be about to look at my teeth and feel my fetlocks.’
‘Dirty devil! And no other female present while he sniffs around, poking under your hat and measuring your hemline? Well, that’s a breach of the rules for a start. Complain to Miss Peto! She’ll be down on him like a ton of bricks.’ Phyllis shook her head. ‘But I still can’t see what’s in it for him. Where the thrill would be.’
‘Never underestimate a man’s capacity for perversion, Phyl! There’s something about the uniform that sets them off. They love to be dominated, you know.’
‘Where on earth do you get all this rubbish from?’ Phyl was scandalized but intrigued.
‘I learned that from an old jam-tart who trawls the Baze, sitting on a bench in the park. I could have had her arrested but didn’t. I usually don’t.’ Lily laughed. ‘In reward for my kindness, she treated me to a lesson in … not quite sure what you’d call it … um … bending gentlemen to one’s will, I suppose. Then, once you’ve got them bending, you give them a good spanking. Whilst wearing a uniform.’
‘Which party’s meant to be in uniform?’ Phyl asked with a grimace of distaste.
‘Either or both, I expect. Phyl, you’d be surprised to hear the inventive suggestions I’ve had for bringing my navy serge into disrepute. The offers roll in! I could make a fortune if I were that way inclined. More if I were a nurse, of course.’
Phyllis grunted her disapproval. ‘There’s probably a word for that sort of thing. Something in Greek that I’d rather not hear. But that’s not this man’s problem, evidently. He wants to see you in “something sparkling at the wrist and throat”. I’m assuming something in between … yes? I can see you intend to accept this invitation, if that’s what it is — it reads rather more like a royal command. So what are you planning? Got any sparklers?’