As a bonus, by the end of the two snatched sessions, she and Annie had earned just over five hundred pounds to put towards her trip. If they could make sure that her brother-in-law was well out of the way and do the same thing next weekend, then that would pretty much sort out Annie’s fare. Another one or two and that would be her spending money and any clothing or equipment she needed sorted too.

‘Missed you this weekend,’ Jude said softly, breaking into her daydreaming. He checked out of the window to the office before he risked stroking her arm.

She dragged her attention back to him. ‘I went to see Annie.’

‘Did you have a good time?’

Lauren nodded. She couldn’t be bothered to tell him that they’d spent a very profitable weekend giving great car-wash. ‘You?’

‘Family stuff,’ Jude said. She didn’t really want to know that. ‘I still need to make up for the weekend before,’ he continued. ‘I haven’t forgotten.’

The strange thing was, Lauren kind of had.

‘I could get away tonight,’ he said. ‘For an hour.’

‘An hour.’ A few weeks ago, that would have made her heart soar with joy at the thought of an illicit hour with him. Now, surprisingly, she just thought that she couldn’t be bothered to make the effort if he was going to dash off.

‘Maybe longer.’

‘I’m tired.’ An involuntary yawn escaped just to prove it.

Jude frowned. Was this the first time that she’d said that to him? Lauren wondered. She couldn’t remember another occasion. For the last five years she’d always wanted to be bright, bubbly, enthusiastic – make him realise what he was missing at home. At the moment, she just couldn’t be bothered.

Jude lowered his voice. ‘I could come to the flat and give you a back rub, run you a hot bath.’

Now her resolve was weakening. Her lover had magic hands and that was just what her tired body needed.

‘I’ll make you feel good,’ he wheedled.

Her smile softened. She liked a man who knew when to beg. ‘Okay.’ She turned to go back to her desk. ‘I’ll catch you later.’

‘Lauren,’ Jude called after her. ‘What did you do in Bath last weekend?’

‘Do?’ she asked. ‘You mean apart from cry myself senseless?’

‘Ouch.’ Her lover clutched his heart. ‘I deserved that.’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘You did.’

‘You didn’t put any expenses into the company.’

‘I wouldn’t have dreamed of it,’ Lauren told him. ‘I wasn’t on business, as far as I was aware.’

‘Put the bills through,’ Jude said gently. ‘I feel like such a heel. It’s the least I can do.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘I insist,’ he said. ‘Just give me the receipts.’