‘I’m afraid that’s Athena’s fault,’ Libby explained cheerfully, following the direction of Jenny’s gaze. ‘She’s a terribly messy eater. Don’t worry. Alex is used to her. There’s no point in clearing it up halfway through. I always wait until she’s finished. Then we get the hose out.’

Jenny giggled. ‘I bet Alex has a shock when you come to stay.’

‘He just reaches for the whisky bottle,’ Libby said dryly, smiling tolerantly as Athena grabbed a handful of pasta and rubbed it into the table. ‘My husband, Andreas, is the same. He adores the girls but he’s a typical macho Greek. He doesn’t know one end of a nappy from the other. Which is utterly ridiculous because the guy is a paediatrician and an incredibly good one at that. He just isn’t great at the practical stuff. A bit like Alex.’

Not like Alex.

Jenny slipped Daisy into the high chair, thinking that Libby would be surprised if she knew just how involved Alex had been with Daisy.

After that first night, when she’d forced the issue, he often helped out with her and seemed to relish spending time with the baby.

‘She’s beautiful,’ Libby said, her eyes resting on Daisy thoughtfully. ‘How old?’

‘Six months. How old is Athena?’

‘Just two.’ Libby pulled a face. ‘And Zoe is four. Jolly hard work, I can tell you. I used to work on a paediatric ward. I can’t imagine how I used to look after twenty-four little patients. I can’t manage two when they’re mine. Fortunately my husband is addicted to his daughters so I get some help once he’s home. That’s why I run to Alex when Andreas is away. I can’t cope on my own. Pathetic.’

‘They’re gorgeous,’ Jenny said wistfully, thinking how lucky the children were to have two parents who adored each other. Daisy would never have that.

‘They’re both horribly spoilt,’ Libby admitted, smiling indulgently, ‘Andreas is Greek and he adores his little girls. Of which I’m one, fortunately.’

Jenny smiled. She could well imagine it. Libby was the girliest ‘girl’ she’d ever met and so bubbly that you wanted to put the lid on her in case she fizzed over the carpet.

‘So come on—’ Libby’s eyes gleamed mischievously ‘—tell me everything about Alex.’

Jenny tensed. ‘There’s nothing to tell.’

‘Oh, come on…’ Libby slipped her shoes off and curled her legs under her on the chair, obviously totally at home. ‘Jenny, my brother has never invited a woman into his home before. I want to know why you’re the exception.’

Jenny chewed her lip. ‘I’m not exactly the exception. You see, it’s—it’s—’

‘None of her business,’ came a deep, dark drawl from the doorway. ‘Back off, Elizabeth.’

His tone contained a definite warning and Libby pouted.

‘You’re a horrible grouch and I can’t think why I ever come and visit you.’

‘You come and visit me because your husband is away and you don’t want Athena to make that sort of mess in your own kitchen.’ Alex strolled into the kitchen and stopped in front of his niece, frowning deeply. ‘I wish you’d stop using my walls for target practice, madam.’