Ellie flicked a sidewards glance at Billy-Bob as they strolled alongside the river. She would have to handle this carefully, but Billy-Bob was crazy about her. He would accept everything she said as gospel and by the time he found out otherwise she'd be long gone.
Billy-Bob flicked a sidewards glance at Ellie. He was fascinated by the way she moved, seeming to be in constant motion under that dress, and when the light shined through, he was positive that what he saw wasn't being obscured by underclothes. It was a pity that she wanted to wait until they were married for certain liberties, but it wouldn't be long now.
"Billy," murmured Ellie, "you know how I haven't been happy with my job at the diner?"
Billy-Bob nodded. To tell the truth he hadn't been happy with her working there either, her being the innocent that she was.
"Well, I was talking to Andy. He's a salesman who stops by real regular, and he was telling me about the sort of job I could get in the city. He gave me the address of an employment agency and said I should call them. I did and they found me a job in the city." The last bit came out in a bit of a rush.
Billy-Bob stared at her. "You've got a job in the city? On Andy's recommendation?"
Ellie nodded, smiling brightly.
"Isn't it great," she gushed. "I'll be earning much more than I get in the diner and I'll be able to see all the shows and eat in restaurants and everything."
"Uh-huh. And what about our engagement and wedding? We been talking about it for the last couple of years and we've got it all planned to get engaged in a few months with the wedding to follow right smartly after that."
"Well, you've been talking about that more than me, Billy," said Ellie, leaving Billy-Bob dumbstruck at such an outrageous lie. "And we can still get engaged in a few months. We just might have to put off the wedding for a bit."
"I see," grumbled Billy-Bob, seeing a damn sight more than Ellie realised. "And when do you start this new job?"
Ellie swallowed. This was probably going to be the sticky part.
"I leave tomorrow," she said gaily. "Aren't you happy for me?"
"Happy for you? I see. And how long have you known that you're going away tomorrow, and how long before you return?"
"Um, I guess I've known for a few weeks now. I've been meaning to tell you, but I just kept forgetting. The employment agency said I'd be entitled to holidays after my first year, so I can't come back before that."
"That's funny. It was only last week you were borrowing fifty from me? And fifty the week before that, if I remember right. What did you need the money for if you're going to the city and a fine job?"
"Oh, that," said Ellie. "Well, I needed some new office clothes for my job, and I needed some money for the fare," said Ellie, trying to look apologetic and contrite.
"You used my money to help outfit you for this new job and to pay for your fare and you didn't even think to tell me what you were doing?" Billy-Bob asked quietly, while also quietly fuming.
"I'm sorry," pleaded Ellie, "It's just I was nervous about telling you. I thought you might not be too pleased."
"You got that right. You've been leading me on for a couple of years now, promising what it will be like after we're married, and now you're shooting through. Some city fellow is probably going to be dragging you into his bed the first night you're in the city, taking what was supposed to be mine. I won't have it."
"You've got no right to say that," snapped Ellie, "and even if I do go to bed with a city fellow it'll be because he loves me and wants to marry me. You're being a boor. I'm going home now, so this is goodbye. I'll write to you from the city."
