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‘Cohts during the drive to her place ‘To Italy’

Harriet’s head whipped round, his offer clearly having thrown her ‘I can’t do that,’ she said at last ‘People at ill talk’

‘They don’t have to know I’ll go into the office on Monday and say you’ve coiven you the week off’

He could see that she was tempted Seriously tempted

‘I don’t know, Alex,’ she said slowly ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea’

‘Well, I do You can co with me, then afterwards I’ll take you to Venice for a couple of days’

‘Venice,’ she repeated, her eyes going all o to Venice’

The lights went green and he drove on ‘Then let me take you there,’ he said

She shook her head at him ‘You are a wicked man, do you know that?’

‘It has been said of me before But I don’t think it’s wicked to offer to take you to Italy with me You’ll love Lake Como’

‘I dare say I will I’ve heard it’s very beautiful But I won’t go to the wedding with you I wouldn’t be co that They are your friends, Alex, not mine’

Alex knehen he’d pushed things as far as he could

‘Very well I’ll book you into a nearby hotel on the lake whilst I’s by yourself that day Then, after the wedding, I’ll join you and we’ll go to Venice together’

‘Won’t that take longer than a week?’

He shrugged ‘Not s stand I won’t be back by next weekend I don’t know about you, but I’ve enjoyed this weekend ed I love your company, Harry, in bed and out Come with me Please’

Harriet didn’t speak again for a full minute ‘I should say no,’ she said But there was a smile in her voice

He grinned ‘Possibly But you’re not going to You’re going to fly first class with me to Italy’