"Yes," he conceded, "but only when I'd worked in the family business for six months. And I paid for it. My father was none too pleased when I got back."

"Why?" asked Peter.

"I'd sent him a telegram. Having the most splendid time. Coming back Wed. He thought I'd got married."

"Oh!"

“Met me off the boat. Purple faced. ‘Well? he bellowed. Where is she?’”

“Oh, how awful, Grandpa! Imagine if she'd been there?"

Roger blinked into space, considering. "Yes. Yes, never thought of that," he mused.

"He must have been delighted when you introduced him to Belinda, then?" Janey said naughtily.

Roger paused. "Absolutely. Yes, he was."

But the pause had escaped no one. Janey shot me a wink. "I'll bet Mrs B had all the men in the county after her, didn't she, Roger?"

I held my breath. We all inadvertently glanced down at Belinda, who, rather hot, her nose red and shiny, was not looking her best. I saw Tommy flash Janey a warning frown.

"Naturally she did!" Roger agreed gallantly, quicker off the mark this time. "As I'm sure you do, my dear!" He leaned across the table. "In New York? Like flies to the honeypot?"

"No flies on me, Rog. I swat them away pretty sharpish, I can tell you."

"I bet you do!" declared Roger, delighted.

Peter was intrigued. "Is that where you work, then? New York?"

Janey turned to him properly, and as she chatted away about Manhattan, filling him in on all the Big Apple had to offer, I saw Peter's color rise again and his eyes light up.

"Janey's working her magic," murmured Tommy beside me.

I turned to him with a smile, prepared to be civil to anyone on this rather momentous evening.

"He can't believe his luck. She's a lovely girl, Tommy."

He mock-blanched, holding the edge of the table. “Said like I'm undeserving!"

"No, I just meant—"

“Relax, I'm kidding. She's not mine, anyway."

"Not your girl? But I thought—"

“No, you assumed. Janey's an old friend. Oh, we had a brief liaison some years ago."

"Ah. She dumped you."

"A gentleman's code means I'm not at liberty to comment. But let's just say our hearts weren't in it. She's too sparky for me."

"Being sparky yourself?"

“Sure, maybe. They certainly flew. But it was pretty great while it lasted." His eyes twinkled at me as he raised his glass.

"I'm sure it was." I sighed. Rolled my eyes despairingly. "I'm afraid your reputation goes before you, Tommy. I gather there's no hope. You really are a marvelous role model for your godson."

Tommy threw back his head and laughed. "Well, good! I like to think our little lunches in London are instructive!"