R Is for Rita

"So she's - hell - over fifty then?" I must have sounded doubtful.

"Yes, by a margin really. But an attractive woman by all reports. I've not met her, she always rings or writes. Don't let that worry you though, really, it's just one evening after all. And she pays of course. So - how about it, James? Have you a dress suit?"

I thought. No I hadn't. But I knew Victor wasn't actually 'on duty' that evening if you see what I mean. He was at a party with his girlfriend and wouldn't be wearing his dress suit for that kind of party. And the money was an attraction.

"OK then."

They gave me instructions to meet Mrs. Kenyon in the lounge of a rather swish hotel in Stratford. I arrived at seven o'clock prompt, wearing Victor's dinner suit and bow tie which fitted me pretty well, and made my way through the lobby of the hotel to the lounge. There were a few couples at tables and some business types discussing work over drinks. In the central area of the lounge, sitting on one of the plush settees, sat a middle aged lady pondering over a martini. On seeing me enter she turned and smiled as I strode towards her.

"Mrs. Kenyon? Good evening" I asked as I reached her.

"Please, call me Rita, and I'd like to call you James. It is James, isn't it?" she asked.

"That's right."

I held out my hand to her, she shook it gently. She had probably spent quite some time in the beauty salon that afternoon I guessed, judging by her beautifully styled hair and her immaculate, though slightly heavy, make-up. I looked down at our hands together, especially at her elegantly-manicured and varnished long red nails.

"Pleased to meet you" I said, hopefully not sounding as embarrassed as I felt as I gently shook the hand of the woman I was to 'date'. A woman quite some way older than my mother.

"The pleasure's all mine" she retorted as she stood up and we kissed on the cheek. "Please, do sit down and join me. What can I get you to drink?"