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Francesca wearily plastered a welcoo to the chair by her hich she kneoulda little bitdown in bed in awhen he strode into the bedroom

‘You’re a bit early for lunch, Jack,’ she greeted him cheerfully ‘I know you want to feedis a bit much!’ The sht Did you have to provide waiter service in the end? I’ve called up the Hamiltons and confirmed that we’ll cater for the to let us do our own thing with the food, thank Heavens’

Jack tossed a newspaper on her lap and then stood back with his ar in there you need to read’

Glancing at the headlines, Francesca wondered what the urgency was to read a report on pre-election opinion polls

‘Centre spread,’ Jack elaborated ‘And, while you’re reading that, there’s someone downstairs ants to see you’

‘Who?’ Francesca asked suspiciously

‘The saht have guessed that in the noro near a broadsheet You know I always try to steer clear of any newspaper that has enough pages to wallpaper e’

‘Youpanic but Jack was already backing out of the door, leaving her at the mercy of a visitor she didn’t want to see Not now Not yet Not when she felt sure she was finally getting to grips with everything Hadn’t she ? Wasn’t that a clear sign that she was turning a corner?

She waited with pounding heart and when Angelo was finally standing in the doorway she found that her voice had seized up He looked haggard The s on a weekday was noticeably absent In its place was a pair of cords and a faded rugby sweater

He ran his fingers through his hair and entered the room tentatively

‘How are you?’