“It’s still pretty dark at seven Miss Hawker,” Frank had shown her up to the CCTV control room, “but when she walks into reception, well it’s like the sun has come up.” Penny was incredibly touched by the old soldier’s fondness for Stevie, so much so, that she did not correct his mistake with her name.

“It’s just a shame not everyone feels the same, Frank,” Penny took the chair he pulled out, “I fear she has a few hard knocks ahead of her.”

“The wife said much the same this morning, Miss Hawker,” Frank switched on the bank of monitors, “but she’s made a good start. Unless you know what to look for, you’d never tell she was... you know.”

It was the most Penny had heard him say, about anything other than work, in ten years’ acquaintance; Stevie had a rare talent for sure. “Let’s get down to it, shall we?”

Penny stifled a yawn as she switched off the ignition; it had taken longer than expected, to discover who had been in the lift with Stevie, largely because the cars were without CCTV coverage — as Phil Peel probably knew. Even with proof - of sorts - there was little she could do; it was his word against the office junior’s, but Penny had a few ideas. So had Frank, and it had taken a while to dissuade the former Royal Marine, from putting them into action. Remembering something Stevie had said the evening before, Penny took her mobile from the dashboard.

Stevie snaked an arm from under the duvet, and thumped her alarm clock. The first thing she noticed was the time — nine-thirty meant a certain ticking off from Miss Hanford — and the second, the alarm had not stopped ringing. Groggily, she rolled from bed, and padded into the living room to answer the telephone. “Wuh... Ms Hawker... all right, Penny... OK, I’m doing it now.”

The head of HR looked a lot different without her work face on, much prettier, especially in casual clothes, “mwah, mwah — what’s in the bag?”

“I’ve brought breakfast,” Penny held open the carrier, “coffee, croissants and strawberries — now get inside before all your neighbours see that nightie!” The last was spoken more loudly, not so much for Stevie’s benefit, as for the man at the next door but one, who was busy ogling the scantily clad teenager. Penny had herself, had a double take moment when the door opened - the cleavage on display was disturbingly naturalistic.

Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, her babydoll nightdress bunched at her waist, the little brunette munched lustily both pastries and fruit, while guzzling coffee so strong, it was tearing off Penny’s taste buds. “Slow down or you’ll choke,” she cautioned, “and tell me what you usually do on Saturdays.”

“Well...” Stevie swallowed a strawberry whole, “Steve goes to the supermarket for groceries, most weeks, and I...” half a cup of coffee disappeared, “let him.”

“OK,” she seemed to have put the yesterday’s events behind her, the older woman noted, “the supermarket it is then.” Penny smiled, it was her chance to do something about the bare kitchen cupboards.

“Just a minute, these,” Stevie lifted her breastforms, “are glued on, you know.”

“Then we’ll not take Steve,” Penny laughed, “you really don’t have anything to worry about, believe me.” It took a few more minutes’ cajoling to convince Stevie that she would not appear to be anything other, than a young woman — with hiccups. She emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, and headed for her bedroom.

“Penny,” Stevie popped her head around the door, “can you help me pick out something to wear, please?”

“Of course I...” life in Human Resources had presented many surprises, but none had stopped Penny Hawker dead in her tracks as surely, as Stevie Weston dressed only in the white bra and panties, she had bought.

“Last time you saw me in knickers you laughed,” an impish smile had stolen over Stevie’s face, at Penny’s reaction.

“Last time I thought you were just a naughty little boy,” Penny had almost said ‘dirty little boy’, but thought better of it; her pride, however, demanded she do something to recover, “and how can I laugh when...” she unfastened her slacks, letting them fall to her thighs, “I’m wearing the same panties.” Stevie’s expression was — as they say — ‘priceless’, but Penny gained an appreciation of how embarrassing it was, holding your trousers while your underwear was on display. Had it only been six days?

Note:a very short chapter today... Doctor Who's just started.