As it had with Beth, the week became a period he had to get through in order to enjoy the weekends with his Mistress. Nor had she ever attempted to communicate with him during the time he spent living the other half of his life. Therefore he was surprised to get a letter from her. It was waiting for him when he came home on Wednesday evening. The handwriting was strange to him at first. He didn’t connect it with Harriet because of her weekends-only rule. When he did eventually make the connection, he hastily tore the envelope open half fearing it was her notice to him that he was not to come back. Such things happen even with people in Harriet’s line of business. Maybe he had not measured up to her standard and she was going to look for another assistant. Tom realised with a start how much he would miss the tantalising sessions with her. She had become a part of his life in the short time he had known her, as Beth had, and she had gone abruptly. Before you come on Friday evening, I want you to do several things, the letter read.
