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‘She is on her way’ His words were short and he didn’tupward in question

‘On her way?’ The accusation in Lydia’s voice was as clear as a‘From where?’

He sighed, not wanting this inquisition right now ‘She had other plans today and insisted she’d ’

When Lisa had finally answered her phone yesterday afternoon she’d been ada to fetch her The fire of independence in her had raged so strong he hadn’t been able to talk her round, but he had sent a car for her, along with the diaiven her at Christmas as a reo, so where the hell was she?

With a sinking sensation deep inside hi His phone vibrated in his inside pocket and he pulled it out, but the text was fro him that Mrs Martinez had not required it

‘Problely knowing

‘Lisa is behind schedule, so I suggest we go on into the party’ He put on his e on Lydia It didn’t quite have the effect he was hoping for, but when Raul took her arested, the attention was finally off him

He lingered behind the happy couple as they nificent rooht of steps as they descended into the party He couldn’t go down yet, couldn’t ely in his chest

Not only had Lisa left him, she’d stood him up too

He absently scanned the roo the array of colours of the ladies’ dresses and the uniforrand piano cohter and voices He didn’t belong here Not tonight

‘You look like you could do with this’ Raul’s voice startled hilass of whisky in his hand

Without a word he took it, swirled the alass and then looked at Raul ‘Where’s Lydia?’

‘With friends Now are you going to tellon?’

His first instinct was to tell hi on, but he didn’t want to There was a connection between him and Raul, a bond made so quickly that he owed it to his