I was almost speechless, but soon found some words.
"I . . . ah . . . well, Kate, you see ... that is, I feel honored by that ... but I ..."
"Sir, you said when I left last year that if I ever needed any help with anything that I could rely on you. Well, I need your help now. Please? Don't let me down." Her hands clutched each other in that universal symbol for begging or pleading, and her face adopted a soulful, puppy-dog-eyed, little Orphan Annie kind of look which was almost impossible to knock back.
"I know that's what I said, Kate, but this wasn't what I had in mind!"
"Please! I've already booked a hotel room for the night. Mum thinks I'll be staying at Tara's tonight so she won't miss me. I bought condoms from the supermarket, and a bottle of wine for afterward, and ..."
"Kate,
