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Only Rainne was disappointed

“Coht,” his sister said “How often do you see your parents?”

About once every decade, he thought

“I can’t,” he said “Meeting for the fashion show If I don’t turn up, I could be ousted” He turned to his parents “And then your trip up here would have been wasted”

He saw the flicker of a look pass between his parents, and his heart hardened further They weren’t there for the show They were there for Rainne—and not to support her, either They wanted to drag her into their latest cause He clenched his fists as he looked at his sister’s grinning face The only way he could stop them would be to tell her that the shop was hers

And that he couldn’t do

Against her better judg about the sho that Caroline was involved everything had to be coordinated, planned and documented She loved her friend dearly, but she didn’t have ti She heaved a sigh as she knocked the front door of the tiny terraced house It was one of the old e of Invertary The row of houses was quaint against the green countryside, all crooked and miniature Not that she could see them in the dark

“I brought wine,” said Lake as he ca in her body stand to attention

“To a ht you ca drinks to a land?”

He stepped in towards her, crowding her on the narrow path

“If I reht to your house” That low voice of his sent tingles up her spine

“And as that?” She swayed towards him

“Me”

Kirsty stuck her tongue out at him as Caroline opened the door

“Good You’re on time,” she said