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Encumbrance That was the word that had done it Made her stand up, newborn baby in her arhtly, ‘Benji stays with me!’

Encumbrances She knew all about them

She’d been one herself An encuiven birth to her had left her to die in an alley

Well, no one, no one—neitherto take Benji from her!

Through the wall the music pounded, far too loud None of the residents dared cos, everyone knew that, and could turn ugly at the drop of a pin Eventually he would turn it off, but often not till the early hours No wonder Benji had broken sleep patterns

Knowing there was no way she could get hida let hi beside her on the luh the holes in a plastic tower and gurgling with pleasure every tida had been pleased to find it in a charity shop All Benji’s toys and clothes—and her own clothes and possessions—came from charity shops and jumble sales

As she played with hiabout that extraordinary encounter this

Had it actually happened? Had a man who looked like every woested she marry him for six months and thereby earn a hundred thousand pounds? It was so insane surely it couldn’t have happened

The knock on her door atively The knock caain

‘Miss Jones?’

The voice wasfrom next door Was it the landlord? He turned up from time to time to check up on his property, fro it out to those on state benefits Cautiously she went to the door She’d fitted a chain herself, not feeling in the slightest secure with neighbours like hers

Bracing her weight against the back of the door, ready to slam it shut, she opened it a crack

‘Yes?’

‘It’s Rafaello di Viscenti We spoke this ood as to admit me’

CHAPTER TWO