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Had he leaned in closer? The dark eyes were even more intent than usual, black pools she was drawn to, the kind of bottoirls could drown in ‘I won’t tell if you don’t’

‘Tell what?’ But her tone lacked conviction even to herself ‘Gabe, I’ Polly wasn’t entirely sure what she had been planning to say, whether she was going to lean in, close the distance between therow up and stop with the innuendoes She knew the sensible choice, the logical choice and yet she hesitated

But the kitchen seely small, the air so stuffy she could hardly breathe, the tuasped for a breath, realising herfor the downstairs cloakroo to make it

‘I am so humiliated’ Polly leant forward until her forehead touched the kitchen counter, grateful for the coolness of the granite ‘Thank you for taking care of me’

That wasn’t quite enough but she didn’t want to articulate all the reasons for her gratitude The gentle way he had rubbed her back, held her hair back from her face, waited with her until the last spasood with sick people’ She looked up and smiled but he didn’t return her admittedly pathetic attempt, his eyes filled with an unexpected pain

‘I have soentle

‘I wasn’t drunk’ Bad enough that it had happened; it would be far worse if he thought she was some kind of lush

‘You hadn’t eaten Even one glass could have that effect’ He looked at the glass she had poured earlier

‘I didn’t even have one sip,’ she protested ‘Just the s’

He put a hand on her shoulder, just that one light touch sending shivers down her spine ‘You should eat so now, some crackers maybe’

‘No’ Not crackers Her body was very insistent ‘I need’ She paused, thought She was a little hungry, now the churning had stopped ‘Hang on’ She pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the stone pantry

Polly opened the door that led to the old-fashioned, walk-in cold room and looked at the shelves that lined the walls, at the marble meat shelf at the far end

‘I know they’re here somewhere I saw them just the other day I would never buy thes Aha!’ Her hand closed triumphantly on a cardboard box ‘Got you’

She hauled her prize triu thear, lots of sugar And milk, cold, rich ht away ‘Must be the bug Maybe I need calcium?’

Raff hadn’t said a word, just watched, eyes narrowed, as Polly poured a gigantic bowl of cornflakes, sprinkled thear and added al bowl ‘This looks a with contentment

‘That looks disgusting Like sonant’