Caroline. Anne Mather

whispered in an awed voice. ‘Oh, glory!’

      The restaurant was quite full, but a table near the window was awaiting them. Andre saw them comfortably seated and then produced the menu with a flourish. All the diners looked with surprise at Caroline. The women were all wearing expensive furs; minks and sables; and the men were as immaculately groomed as Caroline’s companion.

      Quite a number of people had greeted Adam, and Caroline, now aware of his identity, felt awkward and out of place. She wished that he had not turned out to be so important a person. Had he been just an ordinary person like herself he might have seriously become interested in her, but now that she knew who he was she was convinced that any interest he had in her must be simply curiosity. She ought to have realised the day she met him in the lift, by the impeccable cut of his clothes, that he was no ordinary office worker. It was fantastic to consider the difference in their positions and she sighed dejectedly.

      Adam asked her if she had any preference regarding the food, but she shook her head and was glad when he said he would choose for her. What did she know about menus that were large enough to cover the table?

      After he had ordered the meal the wine waiter appeared and there followed another discussion about the choice of wines. As an aperitif he ordered Martinis, and Caroline found herself with a glass in her hand and a cigarette between her fingers.

      Looking about her, Caroline was extremely conscious of the limitations of her red pinafore dress and white jumper and was convinced she must be the topic of conversation of all these elegantly fashionable women. They must be wondering why such a man as Adam Steinbeck was giving her lunch when he was obviously much more accustomed to dining with the élite of society.

      Her eyes returned to Adam as he smoked his cigarette and she saw wonderingly that his eyelashes were extremely long and thick. Combined with his dark skin, strong face and fathomless eyes, he was quite the most attractive man Caroline had ever seen. He had a kind of animal magnetism against which she felt herself to be completely defenceless.

      Suddenly his eyes turned on her and caught her staring at him and she hastily drew on her cigarette and took a sip of her Martini. She choked in the process and had the ignominy of spluttering and coughing arousing the amused attention of the whole of the restaurant.

      Adam, however, was not perturbed and said softly:

      ‘I suppose you ought not to be drinking that, ought you?’

      Caroline flushed anew. ‘I’m almost eighteen,’ she exclaimed, feeling embarrassed.

      ‘Almost, but not quite,’ he remarked slowly. ‘However, in this instance, no one but ourselves is aware of the facts, so there need be no disgrace.’

      Caroline, sure he was amusing himself by teasing her, put down her drink before she made any more mistakes.

      ‘Why didn’t you tell me immediately you were Adam Steinbeck?’ she said suddenly.

      He shrugged. ‘It was a new experience to be treated like a fellow employee. I quite enjoyed it’

      She sighed. ‘I never know when you’re serious,’ she said, looking very young and vulnerable.

      ‘Don’t you?’ he smiled. ‘Perhaps that’s just as well,’ he said enigmatically.

      The meal was the most delicious Caroline had ever tasted. A clear consomme was followed by fresh salmon, then Aylesbury duckling and green peas and finally a strawberry mousse.

      ‘Strawberries in December!’ she exclaimed in delight, and Adam smiled rather indulgently, like an uncle who was taking out his favourite niece for a special treat.

      When they were having cigarettes with coffee made with fresh cream, she sighed contentedly.

      ‘I gather you enjoyed it,’ he remarked, dropping the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray.

      ‘Oh, I did,’ she exclaimed. ‘It was fabulous! I’ve never had such a meal.’ She flushed. ‘I must seem very stupid.’

      ‘No, just very young,’ he replied softly. ‘Now, tell me about this morning.’

      ‘Oh, my being late, you mean,’ she said with a grimace. ‘Amanda has got ‘flu and I had to make sure she was comfortable before I left. I didn’t know she was ill until I got up, you see, so consequently I was late. The fog delayed me too and Miss Morgan was positively breathing fire when I got in. Mind you, it was a quarter to ten, so I guess she was right in a way. Although she wouldn’t let me explain and reported me to Mr Donnelly. I had to go and see him at eleven and although he was angry I think he understood. Miss Morgan rather ravages him, you know, and the poor man doesn’t know what to do for the best.’

      ‘Really?’ Adam sounded intrigued, and suddenly Caroline realised just who she was talking to. With a hasty frown she exclaimed:

      ‘You wouldn’t cause any trouble about this, would you? I don’t wan’t to get anyone into trouble.’

      He smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll treat what you’ve told me as confidential, although I think Miss Morgan needs taking down a peg or two.’ He laughed softly. ‘So Donnelly decided to keep you on, did he?’

      ‘Yes. But I mustn’t be late again, because if I am, I’ll be dismissed.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘That’s a joke, do you realise it’s a quarter to three?’

      He relaxed lazily, studying her flushed face. ‘I’ve told you, don’t worry. Today you certainly will not get fired. I personally vouch for that.’

      Caroline smiled. ‘Honestly, this is all like some crazy dream,’ she exclaimed. ‘I still can’t believe it’s true. Even though I know I’m sitting here, it seems too fantastic.’

      He smiled in return. ‘But you have enjoyed it?’ he asked interestedly.

      She sighed. ‘How could I do anything else?’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s been marvellous!’

      ‘Good, I’m glad.’ He stubbed out his cigarette. ‘Are you ready to go?’

      A few minutes later they were back in the Rolls and heading towards the city. Caroline felt unusually depressed. It had all been so unexpected and exciting and now it was all over. The skyscraper structure of the Steinbeck Building was soon in sight and Adam parked the car in its earlier position which was apparently reserved for him.

      As soon as the car had stopped, Caroline turned towards him impulsively. ‘I can’t thank you enough,’ she said, sighing. ‘I’ve really had a fabulous lunch and I hope I haven’t been too much of a liability.’

      He grinned, and rested his arms on the steering wheel. ‘Not at all,’ he said easily. ‘Tell me, would you like to have dinner with me one evening?’

      Caroline’s cheeks grew scarlet. ‘Me?’ she exclaimed. ‘Why, I…are you sure you want to take me?’

      He smiled lazily. ‘Why else would I ask you? How about tomorrow?’

      Caroline clasped her hands. Suddenly the day was much brighter. ‘Oh, I’d adore it,’ she cried.

      ‘Good. I’ll pick you up outside your apartment at seven. Is that too early?’

      ‘No, I can manage that,’ she answered eagerly. ‘I’d better go now.’

      ‘Hold on,’ he exclaimed, sliding out from behind the wheel. ‘I, too, am going into the building. And I too, am very late.’

      ‘But you won’t want to be seen with me,’ she protested, and was surprised at the look of annoyance that crossed his face.

      ‘Do you personally object?’ he queried quietly.

      ‘Of course not,’ she denied swiftly.

      ‘Then don’t say that again,’ he said curtly, and taking her arm firmly he led her towards the entrance.

      It was three-fifteen and Caroline’s legs felt like jelly.