She winks at me suggestively and I pull my jeans on without thinking another thought about showering

We walk out of the apartment block and onto the square below. The air is fresh but you can tell by the sky that the day is going to be warm and sunny. We set off on the cobbled streets, heading towards traffic noise where we feel sure we’ll find a place that serves the fix we’re both craving for. I slip my hand into Tina’s and she squeezes it affectionately. Just as we’re rounding the corner onto the main road, we pass a small boutique with frosted pink windows and the female symbol printed all over them. I look up at the sign

“Shh!”

“What baby?” Tina enquires, following my eyes to the sign above the boutique.

She gasps. “Oh my god! I never realised we were right near this place! You mean ‘Shushthat’s how it’s pronounced”

“Care to fill me in T?” I say, still as bewildered by the place now, as I was when I first set eyes on it.

“Bette, this is a female ***** shopmen can only go in if they are accompanied by a woman. I read about it in the Time Out ***** guide to London. It’s supposed to be really relaxed and comfortable inside”

She looks at me hopefully and, slightly lost for words at her keenness, I reply

“Erdon’t you think ***** shops are a bit seedy T?”

She blushes, “I’ve never been in one but that guide book said that this one is really different compared to the ones you find in Soho and places like that” she pauses for breath “can we go inside?” she asks shyly.

My head is flooded with thoughts of ***** toys and Tina and discovering even more new things about each other. I practically run for the door.

“Damn! It doesn’t open for another hour and a half” I am so disappointed and when I look at Tina’s face I can see she feels the same.

“Oh well”she says, attempting perkiness, “lets go get some breakfastthat’ll kill some time? Besides. We need to plan what we’re going to do on our first real day in London!”