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‘Leo’s always being “called away on business”,’ Alex told her in a low voice ‘It’s his modus operandi Haven’t you noticed? The fact that I have turned up here like a bad penny would have sent hi for cover even faster than usual’

‘But why?’ On one side, Katherine was now trying to divert Daniel away from the intricacies of hospital procedure and towards the more harmless topic of the dessert which had been placed in front of hi none of it In a minute he would be off to bed, and he was determined to make hay while the sun shone

‘Call it his way of showing brotherly love,’ Alex murmured bitterly

‘Well, this is none ofher fork and spoon on her dessert

‘Isn’t it? I thought…Mum said that…’

Heather felt her face flame with unbidden colour, but her voice reh of dismissal ‘Oh, that,’ she whispered in a shifty voice What on earth had Katherine said? Okay, so it didn’t take a genius to hazard a pretty good guess Leo had clearly said nothing to his mother about recent events, and Katherine still believed that Heather and her son were an item There had been no opportunity to talk to her, and when Heather thought about the aard conversation that lay ahead—because she knew that she would have to disabuse Katherine of her romantic daydreams sooner rather than later—she felt a little nauseous

‘That…was nothing’ She gave a nervous, tinkling laugh and took refuge in a large mouthful of dessert

‘No, no need to be coy I think we’ve known each other long enough for complete honesty Mum’s said Cupid’s been busy with his little arrows’

‘You’re awful!’ But she was laughing, although she could feel the hysteria of tears welling up just below the surface Thankfully she was spared any further e herself

‘Daniel needs to go to bed now,’ she said, ignoring her grandson’s pleas that it was the weekend, that he wanted to see his dad, that no one in his class went to bed before ten on a weekend ‘And I’ Daniel’s hand affectionately ‘Now,’ she said, turning to Daniel, ‘are you going to be the perfect gentleman and help an old lady up the stairs?’

‘Mum, I’ll walk you up’ Alex was already on his feet, but was being waved down by Katherine, anted the young things to enjoy getting to know one another

‘I’m just sorry that Leo couldn’t be here, but he’ll be back ho’ She looked at Heather warmly ‘There’s an awful lot for him to return to’

Heather smiled wanly She could feel a thin veil of perspiration break out, but this was not the right time for revelations, not when Katherine looked all in and Daniel was yawning and co Furtherht, why should she be the one to break it to Katherine that the hot iteh the wringer enough?

She would stay for a quick cup of coffee with Alex and then she would retreat and leave it to Leo to fill his ht bitterly, when it ca women down his experience was second to none

‘So tell ,’ were Alex’s first words as they sat on the sofa in the sitting roolass of port—because, he had told her, travelling the world had deprived him of that one small pleasure—and she with a cup of coffee which she cradled in her hands

‘Shall we start with age?’ Heather sipped her coffee ‘Height? Vital statistics? Occupation?’

‘All very interesting, of course, but I’ on there? Mued person and it’s all down to you Actually, she’s all but bought the hat’

Heather groaned and sat back ‘I don’t want to talk about Leo’

‘Yes, you do’

‘Why,’ she asked, half-exasperated, half-amused at his persistence, ‘are you and your brother just so damned stubborn?’

‘Youin common with Leo?’