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For a moment, so intense that it hurt, she had a vision of herself and Benji in a nice little house soarden, on a nice road, and nice fa spectacular, just nor him up Somewhere that was a real home

She saw herself in the kitchen, baking cakes, while she watched Benji tricycle round a little paved patio, with a swing-set on the lawn beyond, a cat snoozing on the sill, washing hanging on the line With next-door neighbours who had children, and hung up their washing, and baked cakes Who lived normal, ordinary lives

An ache of longing so deep inside it h her

Across the bar, Rafaello’s dark eyes narrowed She was taking the bait; he could see It had been hard work to get her to this point—far harder than he had envisaged But at last she was responding

And theher, the more he was convinced she was perfect for the job

Dio, but his father would be apoplectic! His son presenting him with a bride who had a fatherless kid in tow and who cleaned toilets for a living Who looked as drab and plain as the back end of a bus That would teach him to try and force his hand—

Magda saw the gleam of triumph in the obsidian eyes and quailed Sheabout what he had offered her! A hundred thousand pounds—it was ridiculous It was absurd Al a man like that…for whatever lunatic reason

‘I really do have to go,’ she said with a rush, and got to her feet As she did so she ave a sudden start and woke up Ida stooped down and cupped his cheek ‘It’s OK, Benji Mum’s here’

The wail stopped, and Benji reached out one of his little hands and patted her face Then, pro to free himself from his bonds

‘It’s all right, ’ She hefted hiht She picked up her cleaning box with her other hand

‘I’ll…er…let myself out…’ she said aardly to the man who had just asked her toon the other side of the bar, watching her through assessing eyes

‘A hundred thousand pounds Noto take your son around like this It’s no life for him’