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their friends from university who spent the weekend toasting the pair, and wishing them well.

      Walter Groom was there, giving a very funny speech, and smiling broadly, at everyone. He was delightfully anticipating that the first part of his plan was nearing fruition.

      Following the party, Jade and the Commodore called to the office of Groom and Son, where Gerald Groom had the necessary papers prepared to formalise the turning over of Jade’s assets. Now that Jade had reached her majority, the Commodore would no longer be her guardian. The inheritance was now to be Jade’s to administer in any way she wished.

      ‘For the time being, I’d like the money to be left as it is,’ said Jade. ‘You and the Commodore seem to have looked after it quite well.’

      In fact, Jade had been amazed at the amounts shown in her accounts. Since she had originally come into her inheritance, both she and Rani had used quite a bit of money on their education, accommodation and sundry items, however, the interest gained on the money had more than paid for these expenses, and the sum total had, in fact, increased considerably.

      Gerald Groom and the Commodore were both pleased that Jade was showing a mature attitude to her money. They had secretly been afraid that she would insist on withdrawing it all, to spend on silly luxuries.

      After the meeting, Walter took Jade aside.

      ‘I’m taking you out tonight to celebrate.’

      ‘Oh are you? And where are you taking me?’

      ‘I thought that the Barclay Hotel would be the most elegant setting for a beautiful mature lady such as yourself,’ smiled Walter.

      ‘Oh! Very nice. Well I suppose I had better select a suitably elegant dress to go with the surroundings.’

      ‘Whatever you wear, I’m sure you’ll outshine all the other women there.’

      ‘Oh, Walter! Flattery as well? You really are going all out!’

      ‘I’ll pick you up at seven.’

      Rani turned to Jade. ‘And what are you going to tell him?’

      ‘About what?’

      ‘You know as well as I do. He’s going to propose!’

      ‘And how do you know that?’

      ‘Don’t be obtuse. You’re now of age. You’ve taken over your inheritance, and dear Walter can’t wait to get his hands on it.’

      ‘Are you insinuating that Walter is just after me for my money?’ asked Jade innocently.

      ‘ I know it, and you’ve known it all along. He’s out to get whatever he wants. So, what are you going to tell him?’

      Jade smiled enigmatically at her friend. ‘I’ve made a few arrangements. Walter is in for several surprises this evening.’

      For the evening, Jade had purchased a long silver gown.

      Slipping it on, she thought of Barry, the cross dresser, on their first night at the Golden Stag. I wonder what sort of husband he’d make — probably stretch all my clothes out of shape, she thought with a giggle. She was looking forward to this evening.

      Walter arrived by taxi soon after, and, escorted by Rani, Jade made a grand entrance into the parlour.

      Mrs Petri’s attitude to guests had not waned in the years that Jade and Rani had lived with her; however, Walter had been able to make inroads into her fearsome defence. So much so, that he was now permitted past the front door, as far as the front parlour, but not an inch further.

      ‘My word! You look wonderful!’

      ‘Almost as good as Barry?’ asked Jade.

      ‘Of course,’ laughed Walter.

      ‘And not a chest hair in sight,’ commented Rani.

      It was a balmy evening, and they dined and danced, on the balcony of the hotel’s restaurant, with waiters overseeing every small part of the dining ritual, whooshing courses away the moment they were finished, and replacing them at suitable intervals with the next course.

      Jade wondered when the moment would arrive, and was not surprised when a single violin player detached himself from the band to come and stand beside their table, playing a suitably romantic piece, while the waiters arrived with their sweets.

      Jade’s sweet consisted of a large dollop of vanilla ice-cream with an enormous strawberry perched on top, and embedded in the top of the strawberry, a sparkling diamond ring.

      Walter’s expression was one of rapt attention, as he took her hand in his, knelt beside her chair, and looked deep into her eyes, asking, ‘Will you marry me?’

      He was most surprised as, using her free hand, Jade removed the ring from the strawberry, stuck it in her mouth, sucking the pieces of strawberry that had adhered to it. She then opened Walter’s hand, and placed the ring in the centre of his palm.

      ‘No, Walter, I will not marry you. Now get off your knees and sit down.’ She turned to the violinist, and waved him away.

      Totally shocked, Walter remained kneeling, unaware of the stares he was attracting.

      ‘For God’s sake, Walter, sit down. You’re making a fool of yourself down there,’ hissed Jade.

      With his jaw still hanging, Walter sat, staring numbly at Jade, who was watching his reaction with a Mona Lisa smile on her face. She plucked the strawberry from the top of her ice cream and began devouring it.

      Walter was slowly now coming to terms with what Jade had said, and he began to realise that by rejecting him, she had hurt his feelings. No one had been able to do that to him before. It was a revelation. ‘Why won’t you marry me?’ he asked with a hurt expression.

      ‘Because you don’t love me. I thought that was rather obvious.’

      ‘But I do love you.’

      ‘No you don’t. You’ve never once even hinted at it.’

      ‘But we’ve been going together for years!’

      ‘And you’ve never once told me you love me. Besides, I don’t love you,’ added Jade, as she commenced spooning her ice cream.

      ‘But what does this mean?’

      Jade looked at Walter across the table. He really didn’t understand at all. Speaking slowly, as though to a backward child, she said, ‘Well, for one thing, we are not going to get married. We should, however, remain friends, as well as business associates. I will still need you in my life, you see.’

      ‘But I had planned on us marrying.’

      ‘Well, Walter dear, you’ll have to make some different plans for the future. I will never marry a man that I don’t love. I’ve seen my parent’s marriage, and I will not make their mistakes. I intend to be happy, and I could not be happily married to you.’

      ‘But what will become of us?’

      Jade smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked that question. For the long term, I don’t know, but, I intend that we’ll remain friends.’ She reached for her evening bag, opened it, and reached inside, before placing a hotel key before him. ‘Now then, Walter, for the short term — I had planned that we should retire to the hotel room fitting that key, where we’ll find a bottle of champagne cooling in a bucket of ice, and where, if it is alright with you, you may deflower me.’

      ‘What?’ spluttered Walter.

      ‘I want you to take me upstairs, and make a woman of me.’

      ‘You can’t be serious!’

      ‘Walter, dearest, you are becoming quite tedious.’ She scooped up the key, and stood. ‘I’m going upstairs. I suggest you join me. After all, you deserve to get something for the trouble you went to tonight.’

      Walter

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