Tom nodded. ‘I will. I’d better go and tell her now.’

He walked slowly, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin. He was worrying about nothing. Kevin knew what he was talking about. Only … the worries wouldn’t go away.

Donna rang Andi up with another job offer. ‘Hope this isn’t asking too much, and you must say if it is, but a friend of mine has a big ball tonight, her husband’s annual company bash, and her babysitter has let her down. I said I’d ask you if you’d mind looking after her children. They’re eight and ten, really nice kids, won’t give you any trouble, but it’ll be an all-night job. She’ll send a taxi for you and send you home in one as well tomorrow morning. She’ll pay well.’

‘How much?’

Donna told her.

‘Seems a fair rate to me. I’m happy to do it.’

‘She’ll make sure she has her mobile with her, so you can always ring her if there’s a problem.’

Andi felt happier as she got ready to go out. She was leaving early so that she could meet the kids before their parents left. It felt good to be earning money. She went to find her mother and twirled round. ‘Do I look like a modern Mary Poppins?’

‘No, but you look extremely neat and tidy. Very sensible not to tart yourself up.’

Andi shuddered. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever want to tart myself up or try to look sexy again.’

‘Oh, darling.’

‘It’s all right. I’m not going to cry all over you again. Now, I’ll go and keep an eye open for the taxi.’

Soon she was gone and Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. When the phone rang, she wasn’t surprised that it was Jez.

‘All alone, my pretty lady?’ he teased. ‘Would you be receiving gentlemen callers tonight?’

‘Only one gentleman. And’ – she took a deep breath, feeling a little shy – ‘I’m offering bed and breakfast as well as dinner. If the gentleman in question is interested.’

‘He is.’

After they’d ended the call, she smiled. It had taken courage for her to ask him to stay the night. Things had moved on so fast between them she alternated between feeling blissfully happy and worrying that it couldn’t last.

Kevin looked up as Jez came into the security area.

‘I’m spending the night next door.’

‘Are you sure that’s wise? Wouldn’t it be better to bring her across here?’

‘She does have a security system there, you know.’

‘Make sure she sets it, then. We don’t want anyone getting at you.’

‘A person can be too cautious. It’s months since that sod held a knife to my throat. I don’t intend to spend the rest of my life cowering indoors.’

‘You must be feeling a lot better to start rebelling,’ Kevin teased.

Jez grinned at him and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I am. Much better. There’s nothing like happiness for making you feel good. Now, I’ll just go and pack a few things and I’m off.’