‘We can find you something in one of my companies.’

The words escaped before Tom could hold them back. ‘Just like that. Job from Daddy?’

Jez’s voice suddenly became harsh. ‘No, not just like that. They’d give you aptitude tests, make sure you had any training you needed, and I’d expect you to work hard. I don’t run the companies myself, but I trust the people who do. And anyone who works for me earns their pay or we say goodbye.’

‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. That’d be wonderful. I did get a degree. Business studies. Oh, you know that, don’t you? But I didn’t do very well. I got a bit drunk on the freedom of university, you see.’

‘Freedom from your mother?’

‘From her church, more than anything. They interfere too much, narrow your horizons, try to keep you safe from the real world. As if you can cut yourself off from reality!’

They looked at one another, then looked away. Tom was damned if he knew what to say or do next. But he felt a warmth within him about his father’s instant, unquestioning support. He’d prove himself worthy of it, he vowed, whatever it took.

And he’d make sure Hayley and Ryan were loved and looked after properly from now on. Gail didn’t deserve kids as nice as them.

Chapter Five

When Jez had seen Tom leave for the north with the young divorce lawyer, he went to find Donna.

She smiled at him. ‘Everything all right now?’

‘I think it’s going to be.’

‘I like the looks of your son. He’s very like you. Is he musical too?’

Jez looked at her in surprise. ‘I don’t know. It didn’t even occur to me to ask. We’ve barely touched the surface of getting to know one another.’ But it was rather a nice idea, a father and son making music together. He realised she was waiting for him to speak. ‘Now, I want to go and look at that big house in Hampstead again.’

‘The one in Chestnut Lane?’

‘Yes. It’s the only one that suits my needs now.’

‘It’ll start the gossip up again if you go and live next door to Sophie.’

He spread his hands helplessly. ‘What choice do I have? I don’t want to live out in the depths of the country, but I do need a big place, which you don’t get many of in town. My son needs a home, I’ve two grandchildren I want to know – and dammit, I need a home, too. Besides, I always did like that house best.’

‘Well, then, we’d better go and look it over carefully. And I’d better warn Sophie.’

‘Perhaps we could pop in to see her afterwards?’

Donna rolled her eyes at him.

‘Not a good idea?’

‘No way, José. Not if you want to protect her reputation.’

Pity, Jez thought. But if they lived next door to one another, he’d definitely see her again. If she wasn’t angry at him for drawing attention back to her, that was. Surely she’d understand about Tom?