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afraid'

'And a ly 'Does Tim cause you to run around in circles?'

'Tim is different; he has his focus, as you do, and he's still very young I know people who have teenage children and they invariably tell hters are the most difficult—or perhaps it's just their sexist expectations, thinking that girls should be sweet and placid and obedient Talad of that, and she's of an age where irls start to resist the authority of their … you As long as she knows that you love her and won't turn your back on her—'

'You ive in to her?' he said sullenly Obviously he was not happy with the direction of the conversation Did he expect her to automatically side with him? Was that the way it usually hen he poured out his troubles into a willing fe,' and fall into his hands like ripe plums?

'No, I ry or stern, or autocratic, all the things that fathers areas you resist her resistance, she'll know you care'

'You're very wise'

He wasn't being sarcastic The brooding look had been replaced with a areous She looked quickly away, sternly re herself of those ripe plums

'Here I' about you and Tim, and all I've done is talk about '

'Don't be ridiculous,' she said, sure that he was teasing her David? Boring? He had just given her a fascinating glimpse of the man behind the violin, the very hu than I am'

'You think so?'

There was nothe tenor of that ain, and she fiddled with her glass 'Of course You've done much more with your life than I have with mine'

'What's that got to do with it? TheLook at the lake out there—it's quiet, unspoiled, with a natural beauty thatwith life at all levels You could live a lifeti that you're like the lake, Clare: you have a wealth of fascination under that beautifully still exterior Is there fire beneath the ice, Clare? These beautiful lakes were created out of fire, weren't they?'

'I… I think you'd better go' Clare set down her glass with a click, feeling unbearably flustered Was he saying he thought she was beautiful and fascinating, after all the beautiful, fascinating women he must have known? She wouldn't let herself believe the lie

'Why? Have I eracelessly? Didn't your husband teach you to accept compliments in the spirit in which they are offered? Didn't he tell you that you were beautiful?'

Clare couldn't bring herself to look at hi in her lap She felt as if she was on a train, rushing towards some unknown destination 'Yes, but—'