They_Came_to_Baghdad-Agatha_Christie

CHAPTER TWO
Victoria Jones was sitting in FitzJames Gardens, telling herself there really was a wrong moment
for everything.
Victoria was generous, kind and brave - and telling lies was irresistible to her. Victoria lied easily
and with artistic skill. If Victoria was late (which she often was), the excuse of a delayed bus was not
enough. Victoria preferred an exciting robbery in which she had helped the police. To Victoria - with her
desire for adventure - a satisfying world was one in which there were tigers and dangerous criminals.
A slim girl with lovely legs, Victorias features were small and neat. But she could twist them to
look like almost anybody.
And that was her present trouble. Employed as a typist, Victoria had been entertaining the other
typists with a performance of the boss's foreign wife visiting her husband's office.
'Why you say we can't have that sofa, darling?' Victoria demanded in a high, complaining voice.
'You say there is no money. But then why you take that blonde girl dancing? Ah! You think I not know! And
if you take that girl, then I have a sofa and a very nice fur coat-'
When the delighted typists suddenly returned to work, Victoria turned quickly to discover that her
boss was standing in the doorway. He had heard everything.
***
So, with only a week's salary in her bag, Victoria was sitting in FitzJames Gardens - and only now
noticing the young man at the other end of the seat. He was as good-looking as an angel, fair-haired, with
very blue eyes. And those eyes, Victoria thought, were admiring her.
Victoria was not shy about making friends with young men in public. She smiled and the young man
smiled back happily. 'Hello. This is a nice place. Do you often come here?'
'Nearly every day.'
'Just my luck that I never came here before.' He sighed. 'My name's Edward, what's yours?'
'Victoria.'
'Why did your parents name you after a railway station?'
'There's Queen Victoria as well,' Miss Jones said.
'Mm, yes. What's your other name?'
'Jones.'
'Victoria Jones,' Edward shook his head. 'They don't go together.'
'You're right,' said Victoria. 'If I were Jenny, it would be nice - Jenny Jones. But Victoria needs
something with a bit more style.' This pleasant moment was interrupted by Edward looking at his watch,
and making a horrified noise.
'I must rush back to my boss - er - what about you?'
'I lost my job this morning.'
'Oh, I am sorry,' said Edward.
'Well, don't be. I'll easily get another, and I had fun.'