The Duo rolled out of the warm drizzle, and pulled up close to the portico. There was someone sitting in the passenger seat. Julia smiled a welcome.

Isn't he a bit old, Juliet?

Her smile locked.

Greg is a nice man, Grandpa. He doesn't patronise me like everyone else. You've no idea what a relief that is.

She was going to have to go back over the processor node's inputs; he was learning far too much of her private self, that aspect of personality which should remain secret. Her own body language was playing traitor.

Greg got out of the Duo, scurrying quickly round the rear of the car for the shelter of the portico. He shook out the collar of his leather jacket, nodded at Rachel. He wasn't bothering with suits any more, Julia noted. Levis and T-shirts were more agreeable on him, anyway; he'd never looked quite right in a suit, caged. It was great to think he felt familiar enough around her to relax, let her see his real self. Most people were so guarded with her.

"Hello, Greg. Was it something important?" Or did you come just to see me? Unlikely, but…

Lovesick. Your knees have gone all watery, Juliet. Mental laughter.

Grandpa, if you don't stop that right now I'll cancel the link. First and final warning, OK?

No bloody sense of humour, that's your trouble, m'girl.

Greg was looking at her strangely, head slightly cocked as though he was concentrating on a faint voice. "Could be," he said pleasantly. "Brought someone to see you and your grandfather."

The woman getting out of the Duo's passenger seat, with some difficulty, was about fifty, Julia thought as she sized her up. Dressed in a pleated maroon skirt and a flower-print blouse under a woollen jacket, a double string of pearls around her neck. Her fading fair hair had been given a light perm. Julia didn't quite know what to make of her. She certainly couldn't be Greg's girlfriend. Surely? Perhaps his aunt.

Now there's a candidate for a healthy diet if ever I saw one.

It took a great deal of willpower not to clench her fists. And what must Greg be seeing in her mind?

Shut! Up! Julia shouted into the node.

"This is Gabriel Thompson," Greg was saying. "My Mindstar colleague."

Julia forgot all about the exasperating intrusion in her mind, suddenly excited and fearful in a way she couldn't explain. She opened her mouth.

"Yes, I can," said Gabriel.

Julia gaped, elated, then suspicious. Recovering her composure. "You must know that is the first thing everyone is going to ask you by now," she countered.

"True." And there was a burst of humour in the woman's deep-set leathery eyes. Gone almost before it registered.

She looks so sad, Julia thought. Haunted.

If her ability is real, then she will be able to see her own death approaching. How would you feel about that, Juliet?