I was expected at Mr. Kitson's flat in Regents Park Mews at half past three. It wasn't far, but I walked fast. My body had gone hot all over, especially along my back where I could feel beads of sweat forming, building then trickling down to the waist band of my underpants, a Mr. Macho thong bought half-price in the sale.
I had seen Derek Kitson, the owner of the menswear shop where I worked, several times before. He had interviewed me for the job and he called in every few months or so to add to his wardrobe. On these occasions he was always attended to by Mark Saunders, the manager, who seemed on very good terms with him.
Mr. Kitson was a tall, well built man of around forty, smart but not flashy. I tried to weigh my chances of persuading him not to call in the police. Mr. Saunders had spotted me taking ten pounds out of the till when I thought no one was looking. It had been a stupid bit of devilment: I'd almost dared myself to do it. It's true I was short of cash, but not that short. I regretted my lapse immediately. Quite honestly, it came as something as a relief to know I'd been found out. I'd thrown myself at Mark Saunders' mercy. It would be an awful blow to mum. I said, "She'll never be able to hold her head up on our estate again." But Mark said it wasn't up to him; he'd have to speak to Mr. Kitson. So he phoned through to Regents Park Mews and explained the situation. Luckily, Derek Kitson had been willing to see me to let me plead my case. As Mark said, that was something at least.
I had seen Derek Kitson, the owner of the menswear shop where I worked, several times before. He had interviewed me for the job and he called in every few months or so to add to his wardrobe. On these occasions he was always attended to by Mark Saunders, the manager, who seemed on very good terms with him.
Mr. Kitson was a tall, well built man of around forty, smart but not flashy. I tried to weigh my chances of persuading him not to call in the police. Mr. Saunders had spotted me taking ten pounds out of the till when I thought no one was looking. It had been a stupid bit of devilment: I'd almost dared myself to do it. It's true I was short of cash, but not that short. I regretted my lapse immediately. Quite honestly, it came as something as a relief to know I'd been found out. I'd thrown myself at Mark Saunders' mercy. It would be an awful blow to mum. I said, "She'll never be able to hold her head up on our estate again." But Mark said it wasn't up to him; he'd have to speak to Mr. Kitson. So he phoned through to Regents Park Mews and explained the situation. Luckily, Derek Kitson had been willing to see me to let me plead my case. As Mark said, that was something at least.