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‘I can’t iht it Just sho du they read in the press’

Aiesha drank half a glass of cha at her with a frowning expression ‘What?’

He brushed an idle fingertip down her cheek, his dark blue eyes suddenly intense Earnest ‘What if it was real?’

She sed ‘What if as real?’

‘Us’

She flickered her eyelids ‘Us?’

‘We don’t have to pretend,’ he said ‘We could have a real relationship’

Aiesha licked a layer of her lip gloss off her lips Her heart was banging against her breastbone like ashutter in a high wind Air was not getting down into her lungs Her throat was as restricted as a clogged drinking straw He was joking He had to be He had got her to take off her ar her on, flirting with her, ave a little laugh but it sounded grating ‘Good one,’ she said ‘You nearly had ine what your father would say if you brought me home? He’d disinherit you on the spot I’m surprised he hasn’t already done it’

Ja further but stopped himself

‘James, sorry to interrupt’ Howard Sherwood caenial face ‘There’s been a probleht’s entertainraine I just got the aze to Aiesha ‘Would you fill in for her, Aiesha? James told me you’re an entertainer It’d just be for an hour till the dance band comes on’

Aiesha’s stomach pitched ‘I—I don’t think—’

‘Do it, darling,’ James said ‘You’d be brilliant Everyone will love you’

‘Please, Aiesha,’ Howard said ‘You’d be doinginternational sponsors here and they’ll be disappointed if the programme is cut short I’m happy to pay you if that’s what’s—’