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Max strode out of the custo on either side of him Ruth was relieved to find that they were far calmer than she was Max drove the three of them to the hospital She was disappointed that Max planned to return to England on the afternoon flight, but as he explained, he felt this was a time for her to be with her family

~

Angus died peacefully in the St Helier Cottage Hospital the following Friday Ruth and the tere at his bedside

Max flew over for the funeral, and the next day accooodbye she wondered if she would ever hear froain

He phoned the nextto ask how she was

‘Lonely, and feeling a little guilty that I miss youto come to Jersey?’

‘Not for soet that it was you arned me that even the letterboxes chatter on Jersey’

‘But what shall I do? The boys are away at school, and you’re stuck in London’

‘Why don’t you join me in town? It will be a lot easier to lose ourselves over here, and frankly no one will recognise you in London’

‘Perhaps you’re right Let me think about it, and then I’ll call you’

Ruth flew into Heathroeek later, and Max was at the airport to greet her She was touched by how thoughtful and gentle he was, never once co silences, or the fact that she didn’t want to make love

When he drove her back to the airport on Mondayon to him

‘You know,’ she said, ‘I didn’t even get to see your flat or your office’

‘I think it was sensible that you booked into a hotel this time You can always see my office next time you come over’

She smiled for the first time since the funeral When they parted at the airport, he took her in his ar, but I want you to kno much I love you and hope that at sous’s place’