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His uy?’ he asked ‘You haven’t seen him for years What if he’s turned into some wacko weirdo on the make who just wants you for your money? Come on, Mum, think about this for a bit You can’t just rush into a relationship without giving it soht’

‘Like you gave it so ht before you decided Phoebe was the one you wanted to marry?’

Ja to marry Phoebe’

‘You didn’t need to,’ Louise said ‘I figured it out forfor you I’m surprised you can’t see it for yourself’

He rolled his chair back and stood ‘I’ meddlesome rat’

‘I had nothing to do hat’s happened,’ she said ‘ButDon’t ruin your life bysomeone you don’t love when I know the way you’re capable of loving someone Don’t love with part of yourself, James Love with all of yourself’

Jahtly the tendons in his wrist protested ‘Look, this engagement with Aiesha isn’t the real deal I hope you understand that? It’ll be over as soon as I get this project with Howard Sherwood finalised’

‘Of course it will’

‘I’m not in love with her’

‘Of course not, darling’

Jaet any funny ideas’

‘Darling, you’re so cynical I didn’t orchestrate poor Julie to run her car off the road And I certainly didn’t have anything to do with the weather Aiesha needed a place to stay and I welcomed her The fact that I didn’t mention it to you is neither here nor there I don’t tell you every time I invite someone to stay with me But would you like me to do so in future?’

‘Now you’re being ridiculous’

Louise gave a confessional-sounding sigh ‘Look, I must admit I’ve always secretly hoped you would one day have some face-to-face time with her, even if it was only for a few minutes You haven’t seen her for a decade It’s surely tiood thing It’s like it was meant to be’

‘Have you been drinking?’