Doctor Palmer headed down the stairs at a brisk pace. If people found out that William Campbell was unwell they’d be quick to take advantage, and William might try to go back to work before he was ready, which could have dire consequences on his health.

Olivia waved to Ted as she got off the train. ‘A whole week!’ she breathed as he picked her up in his arms, kissed her lightly on the mouth, then put her back down.

Taking a step back, he cast an assessing eye over her. ‘Is it me or has something changed? I can’t put my finger on it, but you look different.’

Olivia laughed. ‘I’ve lost a stone in weight!’

He placed a loving arm around her shoulders. ‘That’ll be it.’

She gave him a sidelong glance. ‘I think you must be the only person alive who didn’t notice how fat I’d got.’

Ted looked down at her and said, ‘You’ve always looked the same to me.’

‘I have, haven’t I,’ mused Olivia, ‘which is lovely, but I’m pleased I’ve lost the weight, and I reckon it’s all thanks to you, because ever since you came back into my life, it’s just fallen off me!’

‘I reckon I lost a few pounds when you suggested going to see your father,’ said Ted with feeling. ‘I’ll do it because you want me to, but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.’

‘Me neither,’ admitted Olivia, ‘but it’s only right, Ted. Whether he wants me in his life or not doesn’t matter, I’m still his daughter, and I see now that Mum was right, one of us has to be the grown-up.’

‘It should be him,’ said Ted. ‘How old is he anyway?’

‘I reckon he must be at least in his mid-sixties,’ said Olivia, ‘although I couldn’t say for sure, because we weren’t allowed to mention his age, probably because he was much older than Mum, actually not so far behind Nana and Pops.’

‘Is that all?’ Ted said. ‘He looked around a hundred when I used to work for him!’

A wry smile curved her lips. ‘Because he’s always frowning, the surly sod.’

‘If that’s what piles of money does to you, you can keep it.’ Ted cocked an eyebrow, and an impish grin appeared on his cheeks. ‘It’s true what they say.’

Olivia looked up into his eyes which were twinkling down at her. ‘What’s that?’

He grinned. ‘That only the good die young.’

She slapped his arm playfully. ‘We’re going to see him to keep the peace, not start a war.’

He placed three fingers in the air. ‘Scouts honour I’ll be a good boy.’

She gave a disbelieving laugh. ‘Don’t try and tell me you were in the scouts, Edward Hewitt, because I shan’t believe you!’