"How about this one?" Catherine picked a skirt from a rack and held it against herself for Brent to see.

"It's not really your colour" he replied. "It makes you look a bit pale."

"What do you mean, pale? Do you think I'm pale?"

Brent smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder. "No, of course not. I mean that the skirt makes you look pale. It doesn't look good on you. I liked the other one. The red one."

"It wasn't comfortable."

"Oh well." Brent looked at her kindly. "Anyway, you don't need to dress up in fancy clothes for me. You know that."

Catherine grinned at him and twisted away from him playfully. "And who says I'm doing it for you, eh?" she laughed. She picked up the red skirt she'd been looking at earlier. "I can't afford it . . . Maybe I'll put it on lay-by."

"I thought you didn't like it?"

"But you do."

"Well don't buy it on my account -" Brent started, but it was too late: Catherine had already walked over to the cashier. Brent sighed and followed her.

A few moments later they were outside the shop, Catherine having put a deposit down on the skirt. "Where're we going to go now?" she asked.

Brent checked his watch. "Oh, crap" he said. "Actually, I've got to get heading up to the centre. They're short-staffed today and I told them I'd do an extra shift. I'm sorry, honey." He kissed Catherine on the side of her head.

She frowned. "You're still volunteering at that place? I don't like you hanging out with all those crazy people all the time."

"Cathy" Brent whispered. "Don't talk about them like that, please? Anyway, they need me there."

"And what if I want you here?"

"I'll be finished about seven. Let's meet up somewhere for dinner."

"I can't afford it" Catherine replied.

Brent looked back towards the clothes shop, but didn't comment. "Well a drink then. Let's just hang out. We don't have to spend a lot of money. How about I meet you on Lygon Street?"

"Okay. But don't be late! I hate it when you're late from that place."

Brent forced a laugh. "Don't worry hon. See you tonight." And he kissed her again, and once more dashed off to catch a tram.