“You look good, Moyra. That color suits you, and it looks expensive.”

“Yeah, well, it was cheap, like me!”

“Don’t say that! Come here . . .”

She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. She wanted to cry, she wanted to bang on the window and scream at the pigs. “I don’t feel like it, George.”

“Then just lie with me, let me hold you.”

He took her gently in his arms and rested his head on her breast. She stroked his hair.

“Why, George, why did you pick that bloody girl up?”

“Because . . . because she was there, Moyra, and if you think I wouldn’t give anything to turn the clock back . . . I wish to God I’d never picked her up.”

“But you did.”

He propped himself on his elbow and traced her cheek with his fingers. “I know I did, and I know I have to make it up to you, but if I swore to you now I’d never have another woman you wouldn’t believe me. I’ve always told you, I’ve never lied to you, Moyra, never! I don’t cheat on you like some guys would. I don’t screw your friends.”

“What friends? I don’t see anyone, especially not now. They can’t get away from me fast enough.”

“I’m sorry . . .”

“I know, love . . .”

“I love you, Moyra, and if you ever left me, and I know you have every right, but if you were to finish with me . . .”

“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m not going anyplace.”

She turned to him then, and he kissed her, a sweet, loving kiss. His beautiful eyes were so close that she could feel the long lashes on her cheeks. He covered her face with childish kisses, her lips, her eyes . . . She tried not to cry, but her body trembled.

“Oh, no, please don’t cry, Moyra! Please don’t cry!”

“I love you, George, I love you, but sometimes I just can’t cope, and I don’t want to lose you . . . You’ll have to promise me, no more girls, please . . . please!”

He rolled onto his back and stretched his arms above his head. “OK.”

“Promise me?”

He smiled and turned to her, cupping his head in his hand. “I promise, Moyra Henson! And after the trouble I’m in, do you really think I would? I’ll tell you something, I don’t think I could, and I’m not joking. It’s made me impotent, I can’t do a thing!”

She pushed his chest and giggled. “Wanna bet?”

He caught her to him then, hugging her tight, with his wonderful, gurgling laugh. “Oh, my darling, I am a lucky man!”

Chapter 6

6

Karen Howard’s coffin was completely smothered beneath wreaths of flowers, many of them from sympathetic people who had never even met her.