I'll Get By by Janet Woods

did she adore them both, Meggie now had a great deal more respect for what both Leo and her stepfather achieved in their respective professions.
    ‘What’s Esmé rattled about?’
    ‘Oh yes . . . I nearly forgot to tell you. A man disguised as a policeman robbed us . . .’ She related the incident and finished with, ‘Aunt Es keeps a rolling pin handy when she’s here alone, in case he comes back.’
    He laughed. ‘Good for Esmé. By the way, I never grumble. I’m perfect. Your mother has been telling me so for years.’
    ‘You’re not a bad old Daddy Bear, at that.’
    ‘Thanks . . . was much taken in the robbery?’
    ‘Cash and all of Aunt Esmé’s jewels, and that ring she gave me with the garnets in . . . the one that famous dancer gave to her, only I can’t remember his name. By the way . . . Mr uh . . . Stone wanted to take me out dancing. I said yes. I suppose that’s all right, isn’t it? He seems quite a decent sort.’
    ‘Isn’t Simon Stone a little
grandfatherly
for someone of your tender years? He’s old enough even to be
my
father.’
    She grinned at the note of censure in his voice. ‘
That
Mr Stone died a year ago. I’m talking about Rainard Stone . . . his grandson. He said he was born in a deluge of rain, and that’s how he got his name. What an odd thing for a parent to do, though his mother looked quite normal.’
    ‘Oh yes, I remember . . . I did receive a letter from him. Your mother did something with it; probably put it in a file somewhere. It’s amazing how many pieces of paper one collects in a lifetime. You reminded me just as I was about to put my fatherly foot down.’
    ‘It would have ended up in your mouth.’
    ‘It often does, which is why I leave most things to your mother. She finds it easier to say no than I do. What were we talking about?’
    ‘Me going dancing with Rainard Stone.’
    ‘You don’t need my permission to go out dancing, you’re old enough to decide for yourself.’
    ‘I’ve never been asked out by a man before.’
    He chuckled. ‘Then it’s time you got some practice in. How do you feel about it?’
    ‘I feel unsure.’ She grinned at the mouthpiece. ‘I was flattered to be invited though. It was probably because I looked smart. I wore the new suit and court shoes Aunt Es bought me . . . also some lipstick. I suggested we make up a foursome with Aunt Es and Leo. Rennie didn’t seem all that keen on the idea, but said he’d ring them.’
    ‘Good idea, there’s always safety in numbers . . . and once you get to know this young man better I expect you’ll have more confidence in yourself.’
    ‘Exactly what I thought. I do seem to have a tendency to say the wrong thing at the wrong time and he ticked me off. So did Leo. So that was twice in one week. I’ll have to try and train myself to be pleasant. Men are awfully touchy, aren’t they? Leo told me I should count to ten before I speak. So far I haven’t got past five.’
    Now he guffawed with laughter. ‘Good luck then. Don’t be too hard on yourself, my love. I’ve always thought you to be perfectly all right as you are. Give my love to Esmé. When you come home bring me a packet of those special mint humbugs she buys from Fortnum and Mason, will you?’
    ‘Will do. Bye, Daddy, you’re a brick and a half.’
    ‘That was worth knowing,’ he said and blew a kiss down the line before he hung up.
    Meggie turned to find her aunt grinning at her. ‘From your response, it sounds as though everything went well.’
    ‘My stepfather is a gem.’
    ‘I’ve always thought so. What was that about us going dancing with your solicitor? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.’
    ‘He hasn’t telephoned you, yet. I hope he hasn’t forgotten, or changed his mind.’
    ‘It sounds as though you like this lawyer of yours.’
    She shrugged, but couldn’t hide the faint grin she gave. ‘He’s all right, I suppose, but I don’t want to form any attachments with men. As soon as women get