page29 (1/2)

Her aunt had asked her to go on and clear out Ien’s house By then, Maribel had had her own aparth she had often stayed with her cousin to look after her In fact, during that last year, all Maribel’s free ti over her troubled relative After the funeral, Maribel had felt bereft, and when she’d reached the house she’d found it in a en’s sisters had already sacked her wardrobe and ru what they wanted, leaving Maribel to tidy up and dispose of as left Maribel had wandered round the silent house and, when she’d co herself to reood times

Leonidas’ arrival had been a total bolt from the blue

‘I knew you would be here You’re the only one who genuinely cared about Inificent in his black suit and overcoat, Leonidas skiently across Maribel’s tear-streaked cheek and frowned down at her in reproof ‘You feel like ice’

‘I left my coat at my aunt’s and the house is cold’

With a ceremonial flourish, Leonidas renalled one of the men stationed by the limo and addressed hias fire in the front room was lit

‘You should have a brandy’

‘The drinks cabinet was cleaned out a long tio’

Leonidas issued another instruction Within tenup inside and out She was further disconcerted when he began talking about the first tien introduced him to her He was the only person who seemed to understand the depth of her attachment to her cousin

‘Why are you here?’ Maribel finally asked

‘I don’t know’

And Maribel saw that he didn’t recognise or understand the grief and sense of regret that had proen’s house and talk about the past His incomprehension of his own emotions somehow pierced her to the heart that day

‘It was an impulse,’ he finally added ‘You were very upset at the funeral’