She found it hard to stay positive about Ben Saunders as the days passed without further word from him. He was still occupying centre stage in her dreams. Every single night. What was there about this man?

He’d said he’d see her on Friday, but hadn’t made any arrangements. What was she supposed to do? Hang around until he deigned to call?

She’d just have to carry on as usual. What else could she do?

On Friday morning, the phone rang twice, once a wrong number and once a call from Mr Smethers, who was organising the protest vigil about a proposed development which would mean the end of a rather special wood, home to several rare plants. He wanted her to go out there on Saturday evening to replace poor old Mrs Branstone, who had ’flu.

‘Sorry, but I’ve sprained my ankle.’ Megan immediately felt horribly guilty because the ankle was almost better and she could perfectly well have taken part. After all, Ben hadn’t even tried to ring her again, had he? She’d give him a day or two more, then she’d wipe him from her mind. Absolutely. Get on with her life.

On Friday afternoon, when she returned to work after doing the banking, she found Ben waiting for her in the foyer and stopped dead, not knowing what to say or do. For a moment, everything seemed to whirl around her, then a soft exclamation of surprise and pleasure escaped her control. ‘Ben!’

He came across to kiss her cheek, which made the two receptionists nudge one another. ‘Come up to my office,’ Megan muttered, glancing meaningfully in their direction. ‘It’s too public here.’

He chuckled, but gave way to her insistent pull on his arm, thank goodness. She led the way briskly up the stairs.

Once they were inside her room he closed the door and leaned against it, watching her as she removed her coat. She hung it up slowly to give herself a minute’s respite. She didn’t know how to play this.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t call you again. There were a few glitches and I had to fly to Chicago as well in the end.’

She nodded and forced herself to look directly at him as she said what was in her heart, ‘I wondered if you’d changed your mind about seeing me again.’

He smiled and shook his head. ‘Definitely not.’

Her heart did a few quick somersaults and happiness began to flutter inside her.

‘Of course I hadn’t changed my mind!’ he said. ‘But the only times I was free, you’d have been asleep. I’ve had wall to wall meetings, thanks to a crisis.’ He frowned. ‘I should have rung, though, even if I’d woken you. I’m sorry.’