Master of Her Virtue - By Miranda Lee Page 0,39

age. Still, it was an opportunity too good to miss. Did he at least compliment you on how you looked?’

‘He said I looked very nice.’

Joy’s lips pursed. ‘Nice? You looked better than nice. You looked absolutely gorgeous! The man has no taste. So, what about dinner? I hope he at least treated you to some expensive food.’

‘Dinner was excellent. The wine too. Not that Leo drank much. He had to be careful with the alcohol, since he was driving me home.’ Violet decided it was wise not to mention that Leo’s hire car had been the red sports car they’d seen on New Year’s Eve.

‘So, generally speaking, you enjoyed yourself?’

‘Yes, it was a very pleasant evening.’ Brother, wasn’t that the understatement of the year!

‘So you’ll keep on saying yes when you’re asked out on dates?’

Violet couldn’t imagine herself rushing out on dates just yet. Not till she got the memory of last night out of her head. After all, what man was going to compare with Leo, either in bed or out? He might have done her a favour, taking her virginity and introducing her to the joys of the flesh, but she suspected he might have spoiled her for other men at the same time.

Violet couldn’t imagine acting that way with just any man. She might not be truly in love with Leo but she was crazy about him. Not that she could tell Joy any of that. Well, she could, she supposed, but she didn’t want to.

‘I’ll be open to all offers from now on,’ she said instead.

‘You’ve no idea how glad I am to hear that.’

Violet detected something in Joy’s voice. Some strange innuendo.

‘I have something to tell you,’ Joy continued before Violet could ask her what was going on. ‘Lisa’s asked me to go and live with her and Don.’

Lisa was Joy’s only child. She’d met Don, an American, during her travels overseas when she’d been in her early twenties, had married him and stayed in America—much to Joy’s dismay at the time, though Joy did visit them at least once a year. They had a teenaged son and daughter and lived in a large home in Miami. Don was a successful estate agent so they had plenty of money.

‘She’s been asking me for some time,’ Joy confessed.

Violet frowned. ‘You never said anything.’

‘No. I didn’t really want to go at first. And then, when I did, I didn’t want to leave you.’

Violet was terribly touched. ‘That was very sweet of you, Joy. But you mustn’t stay because of me. I’ll be fine. Truly.’

‘I think you will be. Now,’ Joy added.

Violet knew what she meant by ‘now’. Now that she’d started putting her New Year’s resolutions into practice. Violet had to admit that last night had given her personal confidence a big boost. She was no longer worried about her looks, or whether she could attract a man. She knew very well that she could, if she wanted to. She could also see herself sharing a place with another girl after Joy left for America, someone of her own age, someone she could become friends with.

Even so, she was going to miss Joy. Terribly. They’d become very close over the years.

‘So, when are you thinking of going?’ Violet asked, trying not to sound as sad as she felt.

‘Not straight away. I have to sell this place first. Even if I put it up for auction, that will take quite a few weeks.’

‘You won’t have any trouble finding a buyer,’ Violet said. Newtown was a highly sought after suburb. Close to the CBD, it was a popular residential area for young professional singles, and couples who didn’t require too many bedrooms or a big backyard.

‘That’s what Lisa said. But I have no idea what it’s worth. I haven’t exactly kept my finger on the property market.’

‘It is a bit down, from what I can gather,’ Violet informed her. ‘But a terrace house in Newtown will always attract lots of interest. An auction would definitely be the way to go. You’ll need to clear out a lot of your clutter before the open days.’

Joy nodded. ‘Yes, I was thinking that myself. Still, it’ll do me good to get rid of all the rubbish I’ve collected over the years. I’m not taking anything with me, just my clothes.’

‘Are you serious? You’re not taking any of your ornaments?’ Joy was somewhat of a collector; every shelf and available surface was filled with ceramics she’d bought at charity shops and at the