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He went on watching her, his ave a little nod 'You're right, of course, and I apologise—my only excuse is that I've had a bad weekend'

Sian gave a helpless snort of laughter, then tried to look serious again, but it was no use

He smiled down at her 'I lost my temper It seemed the last straw, for soet lost'

'Your ego couldn't take any ue in cheek

'So like that' He ran a hand over his dishevelled hair and grihts by s at anyone—I've had to keep ht rein because there has been so much to cope with'

She watched hientleness with Annette, his patience and sympathy in the hospital

'It was all bottled up, and I' her his hand in a fory?'

She shook hands without laughing, recognising the sincerity of the gesture A kiss would have been out of place after what had just happened The handshake was perfect

'You know, you're quite for, and she eyed hily

'I am? What about you?'

He grinned 'Yes, sorry about that, as I said I'm afraid I do have a te" I'erous'

'You hadto look around for a blunt instrument to use if you suddenly went for me with murder in mind!'

'Oh, it wasn't ly, and she went pink, whichwo the next!' He turned on his heel and strolled towards the front door 'I'd better go before I get any more ideas'

Sian followed hioodnight and added, 'I am sorry, Sian'

Before she could answer he had gone, and she slowly closed the door, her face confused He called her surprising! He was a bewildering man, and she didn't kno she felt about him now, but she was disturbed because she had a suspicion that it wasn't going to be easy for her to forget she had ever ain that would have been the wisest thing she could do