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It wasn’t exactly a weekend break, she still had a lot of work to do if she was tothe board in a week’s time, but she could do it at home either in the little sunshine-drenched study at the back of the cottage or in the ti room Away from the office

Usually her office was a sanctuary but right now it felt alien Gabe seeear in her cloakroo smoothies on the table and, worst of all, Gabe himself

He was so active, always on the phone, pacing round, chatting to every -lost best friend

Even his typing was a loud, banging, flamboyant display She couldn’t think, couldn’t concentrate when he was in the room

But, although he had been living in Hopeford, in her house, for several weeks there was no trace of Gabe in the living areas of the cottage; his few possessions were kept neatly put away in the guest bedroom Not that she’d snooped, obviously, but she had felt a need to reacquaint herself with her ho herself of its quirks and corners

It was odd being back after such a long absence The cottage was clean, aired and well stocked, the rae service she einger cat she’d inherited when she’d bought the house, was plue after their ti felt smaller, more claustrophobic

For three months she had been someone else Someone with no purpose, no expectations It had been disconcerting and yet so freeing

But that was over She was hoht usually lass of wine and a takeaway Polly put her hand to her stoo the latter two this week

And think about a doctor’s appointo away soon

Hang on a second, as that? Polly had visitors so rarely that it took another sharp decisive peal of the doorbell before she moved Probably Gabe

‘If he can’t keep hold of his keys how can I trust hiy?’ she asked Mr Si out in a patch of early evening sunshine

Walking down the wide stairs towards the hallway, she took a moment to look around; at the polished, oiled beailt mirror by the hat stand, the fresh flowers on the antique table It had all been chosen, placed and cared for by someone else She lived here but was it really hers?

The doorbell rang again, i to keep the irritation out of her voice It was hardly her fault that he had forgotten his keys Unlocking the door, she pulled it open