‘I am.’

All too soon they arrived back at Sandy’s. Megan didn’t want to say goodbye to him.

He took hold of her hands. ‘You know where I’m staying and you have my mobile number. I’ll ring you every evening.’

‘Yes.’

He hesitated. ‘You won’t change your mind about marrying me, will you?’

For once he looked hesitant and uncertain of himself and she found herself smiling reassuringly. ‘No. We’re both clearly mad, but at least we’ve gone crazy together.’

His kiss left her in no doubt of her feelings. She did want to marry him. Definitely. And his question had shown that he too was a little nervous about all this, under that confident exterior, which made her feel so much better about it all. She didn’t want to marry a man who was always sure of himself. She wanted to marry the warm, friendly man with whom she had shared a few very precious days.

But although she felt happy and excited, she slept badly that night. Very badly. Ben Saunders seemed to have staked a claim to her dreams. His kisses made her melt with longing. What would his lovemaking be like?

She was so inexperienced, she was beginning to worry that she might disappoint him.

On the Monday, Megan gave in her notice and asked to be allowed to leave work that same day, explaining only that she had unexpectedly obtained a position in Australia and needed to take it up straight away.

After sitting through a hurriedly organised farewell party in the afternoon, she went back to tell Sandy the same story, though this time it was punctuated by shrieks and questions, especially when Sandy found out she was going to be working for the hunk with the Mercedes.

‘Are you sleeping with him?’

‘None of your business.’

‘Megan Ross, you are so infuriating. Why will you never share your feelings and hopes like a normal woman? You keep everything to yourself.’

Megan blushed. ‘I can’t help it. I’m just – like that.’

Sandy gave her a big hug. ‘Well, I love you anyway and I’m going to miss you horribly.’

On the Tuesday Megan went through her possessions, fending off more questions from Sandy as she tried to decide what to take with her. Resolutely she discarded most of her older stuff, all except the books, which could be packed and sent on once she was settled in Australia. She would take them over to her aunt and uncle’s that evening, when she went to tell them her alleged news, and ask if they could be stored in the attic with her other boxes.

After lunch she rushed out to the shops to make a few purchases, including smarter suitcases. She intended to turn up in London looking like the fiancée of a successful international businessman, not like Cinderella come to town in her rags to marry a Prince.