She was back home early after work the next day. And what a day it had been! Or perhaps, day and a half to be much closer to the truth.

Today, itself had started very early at just after six, when she woke abruptly in a strange, but not uncomfortable bedroom. She had been dreaming about a place totally populated by ladies with tiny waists and exquisite clothes, where immaculately dressed men served every need and whim. As she wiped the sleep from her eyes, she had become aware of the reason she had awoken so quickly. And possibly the reason for the dream! Peter Bradford was carefully shaking her as he had placed a cup of coffee on her bedside table. She now fully remembered the talking that had gone on late into the night. She had smiled at Peter, he had indicated ten minutes on his watch and left her to get ready for the day.

She had made her nine o'clock meeting with five minutes to spare. The Beltway had been it's usual co-operative self and she had only just had time for a flying visit to her house. She had managed to change her blouse and suit, fix her make-up and grab the papers she needed, in little more than ten minutes.

The hurried and flustered start to the day had been in total contrast to the actual meeting. Controlled, slow and professional would have described it best, as she led a disparate group of the Bank's Directors and senior officers to her conclusions. She was more than pleased, especially as she had been the token woman against nineteen men, and she was the youngest by at least five years!

One day she would be the President in charge of them all. One day!

The meeting had split and drifted into small groups eating late lunches in the various restaurants, that clustered in and around the large office complex that housed the Bank, at about one-thirty. Ninety minutes later, after brief discussions with a couple of her staff, she decided to leave for home and a well-deserved rest.

***

She had a lot to be pleased about!

She felt that her new friendship with the Bradfords would blossom into something a lot more than a simple business relationship. She was sure that they would all become firm friends. The way too, it had all worked out with their company's floatation had worked to everybody's benefit. It was another fillip to her career that seemed to progressing well in the direction she wanted. She was actually being listened to! And by those that mattered!

But she was worried about David! She did not like to see someone, who worked so hard, both for the Bank and himself, and who generally was a man of a sunny disposition, in such a state of almost helpless depression.

She had tried to talk to Susannah Fell, but she would not be available until Monday, so that simple avenue would have to wait! David was sticking to his part of their joint plan and had sent an e-mail to say that he was getting the results of the latest tests on Wednesday at four. She had replied saying that she was free that afternoon and would join him at the hospital.

But truth be told, she felt that he would have to take early retirement. She hoped that the Bank would be more generous than usual.

As she sat there writing a report on the day's meeting, a thought occurred. She wondered if there was anything that would help David on the Internet. She would also ask the Peter and Catherine. After all she knew how their company, Houston Environments controlled and monitored their incubators through PC's and the Web. Perhaps, a similar technique could be used in a device David could wear, that would enable him to function normally.

Twenty minutes of searching and she was at a dead end. Lots of references to diabetes, but little of a more advanced nature and nothing to help a sufferer such as David. She felt, that there must be someone out there in cyberspace, who could help.

***

She had drifted into her favourite chat-room, as she often did, when she needed a break. Or just friendship! Perhaps, MrTC would be there, as she knew that his company was something to do with remote control systems. He might know of some research or the appropriate technology. At least he would be a good listener, whilst she told her stories and perhaps her troubles. It would be nice to talk to him again, as she had not done so since their initial chat, ten days previously.

The usual crowd were present and she was greeted with the customary 'Hi! MissVB' by two or three of those on-line. But, MrTC was not there!

She decided on a direct question. 'Has anybody seen MrTC?'

She got a quick response from LaceMeUpScotty, who always seemed to be on-line around this time of day. 'He was here earlier and said, he'd be back later!'

'Did he say when?' She was disappointed to have missed him. 'If you should see him, and I'm not around. Give him my regards!'

'No! But I will tell him, if I see him!

She was just about to leave, when she saw a message appear to say that MrTC had now joined.

***

He did not take long to send her a welcome. 'Hi! VB! Had a good day?'

She immediately switched to a private mode, so that only the two of them would see the reply. 'Yes! Thanks. Very good! And you?'

'I can't complain! My wife has gone to bed, so I'm uploading a few files and chatting with lovely ladies like you!'

She smiled and blushed. 'I've just got home from work early. By the way, did your wife discover about your dressmaking?'

His reply was swift and direct. 'Yes!' It was followed immediately by another. 'She was initially annoyed, then mildy pleased and finally extremely pleased!'

She guessed at the first two answers. 'Annoyed because you'd altered it. But pleased because she was laced smaller, than she had been before. Why was she finally extremely pleased?'

'You're right on the first two!' She giggled a self-congratulation. 'And I don't disclose the secrets of the bedroom!'

She smiled at his reply. 'I understand.' She decided to return the conversation to his original question. 'I had a very good day, that really started at lunch yesterday!'

'Tell me about it!'

Copyright 1999 by Ewart Higgins