page27 (1/2)

‘Chico,’ she whispered, relishing his touch Brushing against her, he was dealing the o on and on She never wanted this to end

Did she have to wake up? ‘A?’

‘I don’t know Are you dreaainst her mouth

‘Don’t talk,’ she whispered ‘It distracts entle, rhythmic strokes so carefully placed, and so dependably accurate ‘If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up’

‘You’ll have to wake up at some point’ As he said this Chico settled deep and did so that made warm sudsy sensation wash over her as the dam broke

‘I think you’re awake now,’ he observed with amusement when she had finally quietened

‘Can I go to sleep now, and wake up again just like that?’

She opened her eyes reluctantly when Chico didn’t answer, to see hi down into her face

‘Good , Lizzie’

‘That was such a great way to wake up And, you, braced on your forearet up now?’

‘Unfortunately, yes I have business today’

‘Business?’ She ide awake instantly As awake as if she’d stepped under a cold shower

Will this business take you away for long? she longed to ask hih for her, and hadn’t she vowed to make her own life? What more did she want from him?

Everything?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE HOUSE FELT so eot busy She had business to attend to

She grew increasingly anxious as theblank everywhere Most of the institutions that she had hoped to approach with a view to the out the estate, short-term at least, had already closed for the holidays

By theof the third day, Lizzie was in despair There was no sign of any n of Chico

She couldn’t allow hi her resolve, and she would not give up Rottingdean was a far bigger cause than her own hopes and dreams

That thought took her through al her pride, she called him

‘Senhor Fernandez is locked in conference with his lawyers and cannot be disturbed’

‘Have you any idea when he’ll be free?’

‘None, I’m afraid’

The voice at the other end of the line was cool and impartial Why should she expect it to be any different?

Just when she thought bad couldn’t get any worse, it got worse Her mother called