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Jess regards me for a few moments

"Well, I think you need help," she says at last

"I do not need help!" I retort

I shut down the computer, push back my chair, and stalk past her into the kitchen, where Luke is ?" I say in loud tones

"Fantastic!" says Luke "Where did you get these quails’ eggs?"

"Oh… you know…" I give him an affectionate smile "I know you like them, so I tracked some down" I shoot a triumphant look at Jess, who rolls her eyes

"We’re out of bacon, though," says Luke "And a couple of other things I’ve written the an idea "In fact… I’ll go out and get the Jess, you don’t mind if I do some household chores, do you? I don’t expect you to come, of course," I add sweetly "I kno oodness Escape

"It’s OK," says Jess, filling a glass of water at the tap "I’d like to come"

My smile freezes on my face

"To Harr-- To the super Please don’t feel that you have to"

"I’d like to" She looks at id "Why would I et ready"

As I head into the hall I’ I need help?

She needs help, more like it Help in how to crank her iving e What does she know about it? Luke and I have a brilliant e! We’ve hardly ever even had a row!

The entry phone buzzes, and I pick up the receiver, still distracted

"Hello?"

"Hello," comes a man’s voice "I have a delivery of flowers for Brandon"

I press the button in delight Someone’s sent me flowers?

I clap my hand over my mouth Luke must have sent me flowers He’s so romantic! This is probably sootten all about, like the first ti