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'When are you planning on joining the hu? Having fun? Dating?' he said smoothly 'Normal stuff'

Her frown turned into a full scale glare 'That's my business, surely,' she said frostily Didn't he realise how dev¬astating it had all been? Was the ?

He held up his hands in et super-prickly again I only won¬dered how long you intended to let him dominate your life and cast a shadow over your future Months, years?'

"What?’ Beth was flabbergasted How dared he?

He eyed her expressionlessly 'Well, what do you call it?' he asked coolly 'The guy was obviously an out-and-out sleaze-ball asn't fit to draw breath; every generation throws up a few like hiive you that, but only before you recognise what they are Afterwards, once they're back in the gutter where they belong, you get on with the rest of your life Or else they win big time Surely not an option?'

Beth couldn't re tiri the world is just a bowl of fat ripe cherries and thein Santa Clause next and the tooth fairy'

He had the nerve to grin 'Whatever turns you on'

For the first tiirl, Beth found herself sta her foot Within the warm circle of her family home she'd had the nickname Neddy because of her tendency to stamp up and down in temper The brief lack of control was like a dash of icy water on the fire of her anger Taking a deep breath, she said, 'I think you had better go'

'Because I told you the truth?' he said lazily, not h to take it, surely?'

She al of a man 'The truth as Travis Black sees it,' she qualified curtly 'Which doesn't necessarily make it the truth at all'

'Think about what I've said and you'll find I' any utsy to shut yourself away, Beth, and, if you're not careful, the longer you leave it before you put a toe back in the water the harder it'll be to launch out and swim'

'And if I don't want to swihtly 'That's up to me, surely I do have a mind of my own'

'Believe me, I don't doubt it' His voice was dry