1953 - The Things Men Do Read Online Free PDF

end of the month. In the meantime something might turn up. Come on, Harry, don't be proud. I don't give a damn when you pay it back."
    "But you can't afford to lend me fifty quid, Bill, and you know it."
    "It may surprise you, my boy, to know I have a hundred and fifty smackers in the bank. I've been saving ever since I left the Army. I have no one to spend the money on except myself. Now come on, say you'll take it. You'd do the same for me, and I wouldn't be proud."
    I hesitated. Fifty pounds would be a godsend at this moment. The thought of getting rid of all the niggly little bills that were cluttering up my desk proved too big a temptation.
    "Well, all right. It's damned nice of you. You may have to wait some time before I can give it to you back."
    Bill grinned
    "There's no hurry. Pay it back when you like."
    I watched him write out the cheque, and when he tossed it across the desk, I shoved out my hand and gripped his.
    "Thanks a lot, Bill. I'm damned grateful. There's just one thing, don't tell Ann about this. She wouldn't like it."
    A surprised, puzzled expression jumped into his eyes.
    "Is that a good thing to do, Harry? I thought you and Ann were like one: no secrets and nothing up your sleeve kind of thing."
    I felt my face turn red.
    "Well, we are like one, but this is a bit different I know she wouldn't like it, and it would worry her. Women aren't like men. Men make use of their friends: women don't. You know I'd help you if you wanted help, and I'm ready to accept your help when you offer it, but Ann wouldn't. I'd rather you didn't say anything to her about it."
    "All right, but I think you're making a mistake." His red face looked unhappy. "You know, Harry, I'm as fond of Ann as I am of you. You two are a great couple. The way you've been together has been an eye-opener to me. I thought marriage was a cat and dog life until I saw you together. Don't spoil it, will you?"
    "You're talking a lot of sentimental bosh." I tried to laugh.
    "Ann and I will always be the same to each other."
    "I hope so." He put his chequebook away and got up.
    "Well, I'd better get back to the grindstone. Three more days and I start my new job. If Ann and you've got nothing better to do, how about going to the local flea pit on Saturday? They've got a good film on: Hepburn. I like that girl. What do you say?"
    "Okay. Come and have supper with us; about seven."
    "Let's hope it won't be such a damned awful wake as last night," Bill said, grinning.
    I walked with him to the entrance of the garage just as a black Jaguar swung to the kerb.
    At the wheel in a smart white mackintosh, but still without a hat, was Gloria.
    The sight of her made my heart lurch against my side.
    She gave me a wave to indicate she was coming in. I felt Bill looking at me.
    "See you Saturday," he said, and stepped into the driving rain.
    I grunted something as I waved Gloria to the space I had cleared.
    Tim poked his head out from under the car he was working on and stared. I frowned at him, and after one more owlish stare, he retired under the car again.
    "What a horrible morning," Gloria said, opening the car door and getting out. She made no attempt to conceal her legs as she swung them to the floor. I had a quick, electrifying glimpse of blue frills, white thighs and sky-blue garters that had me gaping like any spotty youth at a peep show.
    "Morning." I watched her adjust her mackintosh and reach in the car for her handbag and umbrella.
    "I'll leave it here for today. I may use it tomorrow. If it's fine, could you have it cleaned?"
    "Yes. I'll fix that."
    She turned to look at the car.
    "Nice bus, isn't she?"
    "A cracker."
    "Ever driven one?"
    "No."
    "You must try it one of these days. It goes like a bird, and has a pick-up that'll frighten the life out of you."
    "I'd like to."
    She looked over at Tim's long legs that were sticking out from below the car he was working on. Then she looked at me and over at the office, raising her eyebrows.
    "I'll just take