‘Hire yourself an assistant if necessary. I mean it, Donna. Oh, and I’m showing Sophie over the place the day after tomorrow in the afternoon.’ He flushed slightly under her amused gaze.

‘You’ve forgiven her for letting the information out?’

‘It was her daughter.’ He frowned. ‘Maybe we should look into that young woman’s background.’

‘Kevin’s already on to that, just in case she’s still intending to feed information to Talbin.’

Donna left Jez to rest. Sophie’s visit must have gone well today from the way he kept smiling. She hoped that would continue. She really liked her employer, but had found out that Jez didn’t let people get close to him easily, not even the staff he worked with every day, like her and Craig. Kevin was a bit different because they’d known one another from way back.

It was easy to get fond of Jez, because he was kind and thoughtful – and sometimes even shy.

And because until now he’d always been faintly sad. Money and fame hadn’t made him happy. What would? she wondered.

It’d take a very special woman to deal with a man like him and the life he led. She wouldn’t like to marry someone famous.

Chapter Eight

Jez listened to Donna’s summary of the arrangements she’d made for his son at the hotel, leaning his head back to consider them when she’d finished. ‘Why are you smiling?’ she asked.

‘I’m thinking of the reaction of the staff here to two small children.’

She smiled reluctantly. ‘And I know who’ll have to smooth things out.’

‘Will you mind?’

‘No. I’m paid to solve problems.’

He looked at her, his brow wrinkling. ‘But do you enjoy working for me?’

She nodded. ‘Very much.’

‘Why? It’s been nothing but mayhem since you joined us, what with the intruder then the accident.’

‘And I’ve not been bored once.’ She shrugged. ‘I hate being bored. But I wouldn’t work for you if you weren’t an honest soul.’

‘You’ve done well. Kevin and I were wondering if you’d like to join the permanent staff? I know we said a year’s trial, but we really like having you on the team.’

She didn’t hesitate. ‘That’d be great.’

William rang up from work as Sophie was waiting for Kevin to arrive at the back door and take her to see Jez’s new house . He often rang from work, presumably so that his wife wouldn’t know how often he called.

‘Mum? How are you?’

‘I’m well. Look, I’m expecting someone. We can talk till he arrives, but I may have to end the conversation abruptly.’

His voice suddenly grew sharper. ‘Oh? Who is it? Not that rock star fellow, surely? Andi says you’re seeing him.’

‘Don’t talk to me about your sister!’

‘What’s she done now?’

‘I can’t tell you. It’s confidential, someone else involved. But she let me down, broke a promise and we’ve quarrelled – rather badly. If you can keep an eye on her, though, and let me know if she gets into any trouble, I’d be grateful?’