"We haven't met or heard about the plumber yet, have we?"

Shelley was back in a few minutes. "I was right. Here are the names and telephone numbers. But no plumber mentioned. What would you say to get-

ting together somewhere tomorrow, if the house is still closed, with Jacqueline and Henrietta?"

"On what excuse?"

"We can say we need to know what the plans are for the finished woodwork so we don't clash with it on the furniture," Shelley said.

"And then just chat with them about generalities? I like it."

Shelley made the call and set up a time and place for lunch the next day.

"You two are experts at your work and we don't want to do anything that compromises it," Shelley said when they met with the two women.

It was interesting to see the pair in their street clothes rather than their work clothes. Jack was in a pink sundress with a pretty lacy collar and a touch of very feminine makeup. She was truly a Jacqueline when she wasn't working. Henry was wearing a gender-neutral suit in dark blue with trousers, with a very elegant blue-and-white-striped blouse. There was a pretty enamel pin on her lapel.

They were both so nicely dressed that they put Jane and Shelley in the shade. Both of them were in nice-enough slacks, blouses, and lightweight sweaters because restaurants tended to turn the air conditioning way up until the late fall. Of one silent accord, they called their two guests by their full real names.

Shelley pulled out some sample paint chips,

and while the waitress cooled her heels waiting for them to get to the menus, Shelley asked Jacqueline's and Henrietta's advice on colors for the main area of the room they were currently working on. All very professional and proper for strangers who were expected to work together.