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‘Long story Doesn’twith you, may I ask?’

‘It’s complicated’

‘I’m sure I’ll be able to follow I’ve been heavily involved inbodies take Ballet is tough—I know that It uys do’

He could see her pausing for athe conversation The s hiht as a little spring

‘I’ve not always been a boring old banker I wasn’t born wearing a pinstripe suit,’ he said softly ‘Give by ball any day of the week’

‘So what happened?’ she asked ‘Why didn’t you follow your dream?’

‘Tell me about your injury first,’ he countered

‘Cruciate ligament,’ she said after a moment

‘Anterior? Posterior? Don’t tell me it was one of the collaterals?’

‘It was the anterior I had to have surgery Twice’

‘Painful,’ he said, sucking his teeth ‘You’d better be careful That can be the end of a beautiful career’

‘I’m well aware of that’

‘I iine you are Must be on your mind all the time One of the players in my uni squad had a terrible tireat future ahead but the injury put paid to all that I’ve no idea what he’s doing noas a bit of a one-trick pony I don’t think he had a Plan B’

And then suddenly the mask slid down and her brilliant smile slipped and wobbled Her delicate collarbones bunched and the fine muscles of her throat constricted and closed She was visibly holding herself in check