Unknown by Unknown

man she was clearly half in love with herself.
    Debra was entranced with the new designs. Vane had departed from his usual exotic embroideries, using instead thousands of tiny pleats—pleated skirts, sleeves, waistbands and cuffs, pleated collars, all using beautiful materials, silks and taffetas, chiffon and georgette, fine cottons.
    Her mind worked overtime picturing the various accessories that could be worn with such entrancing, delicate garments. Strappy sandals in colours to match, belts so light and exquisite that they would look like part of the dress, doing nothing to detract from their ethereal beauty.
    She thanked Mai Mai for letting her see the sketches and hurried back to her office, pinning a sheet of paper to the drawing board that had been provided for her use, quickly sketching a few ideas before she lost her initial impressions.
    It came as a surprise when Fu Ju Wen entered to say it was five o’clock and everyone was going home.
    ‘I had no idea,’ she said. ‘I was so busy, time’s simply fled.’
    ‘Would you like a lift?’ he enquired in his courtly manner.
    She smiled and shook her head. ‘I’ll walk, it’s quicker. There’s so much traffic it’s unbelievable. The poor rickshaws don’t stand a chance these days!’
    He looked sad for a moment. ‘Soon there will be none. They’re issuing no more licences. It is a pity, a great pity.’
    ‘An unfortunate part of progress,’ agreed Debra, tidying her desk and gathering up her bag.
    He walked with her to the main door. She was apparently the last to leave. ‘I trust you’ve enjoyed your first day here,’ he said as he locked up.
    ‘Immensely,’ smiled Debra. ‘I wonder where Mr Oliver went.’
    Mr Fu shrugged. ‘He comes and goes. We get quite used to him disappearing without a word. How do you like living in his villa? It is a very beautiful place, don’t you think?’
    ‘Very,’ agreed Debra, pressing the button for the lift, ‘but I don’t intent staying there. Liz and I want somewhere of our own. I don’t suppose you could help us find an apartment?’
    He looked doubtful. ‘Rooms are scarce, snapped up almost before they become available. Mr Oliver’s villa is big—plenty of room—why do you want to move? You will be happy there, I know.’ He clearly thought her mad for wanting to live anywhere else.
    ‘I feel we’re imposing,’ said Debra. ‘Besides, I’m sure Mr Oliver himself won’t want to put us up for too long. It must surely affect his private life.’
    A smile lurked in the old man’s eyes, as though some secret thought amused him. But he was a true diplomat and said, ‘Mr Oliver would never turn out a pretty woman.’
    Not if she was co-operative, thought Debra. Fu Ju Wen evidently did not know what sort of a relationship she and Vane Oliver held.
    Out on the street they parted ways.
    ‘Tsoi kin,' said Mr Fu.
    ‘Goodbye,’ repeated Debra. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’
    It took but a few minutes to walk through the still busy streets to the Peak Tram Terminal. As she sat in the cable car being slowly borne upwards in what was reputed to be the steepest funicular railway in the world, absently watching the land drop away below, Debra wondered what Liz had been doing with herself all day.
    A sense of guilt came over her as she realised that this was the first time she had given the other girl a thought. She had been so tied up in her work that everything else had passed from her mind.
    Now she could not wait to get back. Poor Liz must be bored stiff!
    A premonition which had lurked at the back of her mind ever since she discovered Vane’s absence came flooding to the surface when she eventually arrived at the villa and Lin Dai informed her that both Mr Oliver and Miss Freeman were out.
    ‘He came back about lunchtime,’ said the young housekeeper, ‘and they went out together.’
    ‘You have no idea where?’ asked Debra sharply, apprehension stabbing.
    Lin Dai shook her head. ‘I’m