‘I’ll tell you when the time is ripe.’

He took out his mobile. ‘Got to call Kevin. Makes me feel like a child to be escorted everywhere.’ When he’d finished the call, he said, ‘I hope you’ll be extra-careful from now on.’

‘I will.’

He smiled down at her. ‘My son and grandchildren are arriving tomorrow, so I’ll call you but I won’t be able to see you. Is it all right if I call you every day?’

‘More than all right. Evenings are best.’

She was thoughtful as she finished clearing up. She’d enjoyed Jez’s company more than she’d expected to. It wasn’t just the physical attraction, either. He was interested in so many things. And it was a bonus that he had a sense of humour.

But she was annoyed with William. What made him think he had the right to tell her what to do, who to make friends with? She’d phone him at work tomorrow and make it very plain that she didn’t welcome such interference.

Chapter Nine

On the Friday afternoon, Tom waited on tenterhooks for his mother to go out. She noticed, of course.

‘What’s the matter with you today? There’s something wrong, I know it.’

He shrugged and sought desperately for a reason to distract her. ‘I’m looking forward to spending some time on my own, if you must know. I’ve been with people every minute of the last week or so. I’m used to quiet hours with a computer during the day, and I need my peace. The kids are having a nap, so I’ll just sit and relax.’

She looked at him, shaking her head, and he didn’t know whether she believed him or not. But at least she left.

He started to pack. Most of his own possessions were still in the bin bags he’d brought from his old house. He’d already put his laptop in its case. Now he had to go into the children’s room to pack their things, which woke them, so he gave them a snack and a drink, before continuing to pile their toys and clothing into bags.

As he shoved Hayley’s comfort blanket into the top of one bag, he heard a car draw up outside the house. He went to the window and breathed a sigh of relief as he saw a limousine waiting there and a uniformed chauffeur coming down the garden path towards the house.

He grabbed the bag he’d just filled and rushed downstairs, throwing the door open.

‘Mr Prichard?’

‘Yes.’ He gestured to the line of bulging plastic bags along the hall. ‘Can you start putting these into the car, please, while I pack the last few things?’

‘Certainly, sir.’

The man’s expression remained wooden, but his distaste for this job was obvious.

At the last minute, Hayley insisted she wanted another wee-wee and Ryan, who seemed terrified of the chauffeur, clung to Tom’s leg as he took her upstairs again, making it even more difficult to act quickly.