Page 61 of Live a Little!

“I can barely believe it!” Agnes’s voice was hushed, for once in wonder rather thanbashfulness.

“Now all we need is to get you some new clothes and a few, um, other things, and you’ll be all set for your datetonight.”

“Really, it’s not adate.”

“Maybe it isn’t now. Just wait till tonight. I have a feeling the current lady friend he’ll be talking about will beyou.”

While Agnes had been coiffed and made up, Cynthia had dashed to the clothing store where she’d started her makeover. There she got some advice on where to take a fifty-something woman in need of a newlook.

She bundled a still-stunned Agnes into her car and drove them to an upscale women’s wear shop. Agnes stalled on the doorstep. “Oh, I don’t know. It looks awfully expensive inthere.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but what do you spend your moneyon?”

“Well, my cat is a fussy eater…” Agnes glanced up and obviously realized that wasn’t going to cut it. “I support several charities…and,um…”

“You save most of it, don’tyou?”

Almost ashamed, Agnes nodded. “My nephew and his family will inherit a nice sum when Idie.”

“What are you, fifty-five?”

“Fifty-two.”

“Your nephew will have to wait. You’ve got a lot of living to do.” Cynthia fixed Agnes with a fierce eye. “Starting right now. Comeon.”

It wasn’t hard at all, once Agnes caught the spirit of the adventure. They emerged giggling like teenage girls, six bags between them, and a saleswoman practically bowing them out of theshop.

“How do you feel?” Cynthiaasked.

“Stunned.Excited.”

“Brave?”

“Brave enough foranything.”

“All right. I’m Cyn the Bold. I hereby rename you Agnes theBrave.”

“Good.”

She refused to tell Agnes where they were going, thinking she’d need her newfound bravery to enter a store where the autumn window display included a blowup doll reclining on a pile of autumn leaves. As Cynthia pulled into a parking spot out front, a customer was just leaving, with quite a bag ofgoodies.

A customer sherecognized.

What was Neville Percivald doing in a sex shop? Here she’d thought he was quiet and sweet, a little on the creepy side, but harmless. How harmless could he be if he was buying a sackful of sex goodies on Saturday morning when she had a date with him Saturdaynight?

“Are you all right, Cynthia? You’re making an awfully funny noise,” Agnesstated.

“I’m fine,” she gasped. “Fine. I just had a great idea. We’re both seeing Percivald men tonight. Why don’t we double-date?”

“Double-date?But—”

“It’ll be fun. After your appearance knocks him out, I’ll make sure Mr. Percivald knows you have an active privatelife.”

“But Idon’t!”

“You will. I know we’re going to La Parisienne for dinner, because Neville asked me if I liked it. All you have to do is tell his stepfather how much you’d like to go there. Our double date will be asurprise.”

“Well…I would feel more comfortable if you were there. I feel so odd with my hair like this and my new clothes.” Agnes paused. “But will he think I’m beingpresumptuous?”

“Of course he won’t. You’re the one who lives here full-time. You ought to know which restaurants aregood.”

“I only wish Idid.”

“Trust me on this one. Please?” As much as Cynthia wanted to support Agnes, she also felt more comfortable in a foursome. If they were in a group, she’d make darn sure that Mr. Percivald junior kept his hands—and his sex toys—tohimself.

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