"Do you know my father well?" Laura said, instantly wanting to take back the question. But it was too late.

"Oh, I suppose so."

Dotty smiled smugly again. Then she straightened her stocking right in front of Laura, drawing her hemline right up to her crotch. Laura was sure she was doing this to deliberately tease her.

"But you're not getting jealous, are you? There's no need to. Your father is a nice man. And I certainly don't intend to steal him away from you."

Laura said nothing. But the young girl knew that if Dotty's lovely thighs were ever spread wide in front of her father, the man would be sorely tempted.

"I tell you what I'm going to do," said Dotty, pulling her hemline back down and returning her full attention to the papers on her desk. "I'm going to give you a job up on the eighth floor, in the marketing division. We desperately need typists there, and you can be near your father and visit him on your breaks. Okay?"

"Yes, that sounds great!" said Laura. She smiled politely, but she still felt hostility towards Dotty.

"You can go on up right now. I'll call the supervisor, Miss Thomas, and let her know you're on your way."

CHAPTER TWO

Although she had uneasy feelings towards Dotty, Laura refused to believe anything bad about her father. If the man was getting a little on the side, Laura was sure that Dotty was to blame. The girl's spirits were high as she stepped off the elevator on the eighth floor and followed the signs to the marketing division.

And she had plenty to be high about. She had her first summer job! And she had the opportunity to be near her father during the day as well as the night. What more could a girl ask for?

The marketing division was sprawled over a third of the eight floor. Laura was surprised to see so many people hard at work. She made her way past the file cabinets and typing desks and storage bins until she came to the supervisor's office. Laura swallowed hard to fight back another attack of nerves then she knocked loudly.