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'Youo

ut, after all?' Tao and tell Dad—'

'Tairl would phrase the news, but the receiver had already thumped down

Then there was a clatter as it was picked up again, and she was surprised to hear Tamara say, 'He's not really bad, is he? The kid? I mean, he seemed pretty OK this afternoon'

She and Tiame on the office co as interesting as winning, and involved typing in instructions rather thanbutton They had treated each other with casualness bordering on disdain, but there had been surprisingly little open conflict Now Tamara sounded as if she was bothered that 'the kid', as she enjoyed calling hiht be seriously ill

'No, I think he's just got a chill, but I don't want to leave hiets a bit worked up about illness, which onlyleft alone' Shari had promised to come and babysit, but Clare knew frorip of one of his unreasonable terrors Tim could be pacified by no one but his mother

'Just hang on, I'll get Dad'

'Clare?' Fro, she realised that hethe cordless phone in Miles's bathroom

'David, I'm sorry but—'

'Just aup now'

There was a snort and a click, and some of the echo was reduced 'Now, Clare, what is it? Cold feet at the last minute?'

'No! Didn't Tamara tell you?'

'That you're still hiding behind Tihter, Clare If you don't want to go out with me, you can damned well tell me honestly to my face'

He had hung up on her Clare fuht she was that o out with her? Daance Naturally he would assume that he was at the centre of every situation!

A few er to his face when there was a sharp knock at the door