Suddenly she was aware of every unfamiliar ache of her body.

He looked at her keenly. ‘Are you OK?’

She knew exactly what he was asking and met his gaze boldly. ‘Very OK.’

Not for a moment did she want him thinking that she regretted what had happened between them.

How could she possibly regret anything so utterly perfect?

There was an expression in his eyes that she couldn’t interpret. ‘Good.’ His eyes searched hers for a moment longer and then he reached across the table for a roll and put one on a plate for Zoe. ‘I’ve spoken to Andreas. He arrived during the night and went straight to the hospital.’

Jenny poured some milk for Zoe. ‘He was lucky he was able to get a flight so quickly.’

‘His family has a private jet,’ Alex said in such a matter-of-fact voice that Jenny felt herself deflate like an overfilled balloon.

He’d mentioned the private jet with a total lack of interest. If ever she’d needed a reminder of the difference in their social circumstances then he’d just provided one.

What was she doing with this man?

He moved in circles that were so far removed from her own that it was ridiculous. Their paths never would have crossed if it hadn’t been for Chloe.

But even knowing that, she couldn’t regret what had happened the night before.

Oblivious to her distress, Alex drank a mug of coffee and then stood up. ‘I’m going back to the hospital. Are you OK here with the children?’

Jenny nodded. ‘Of course.’

‘I’ll see you later, then.’ His eyes meshed with hers and she read the promise there. Despite all the efforts of her brain to maintain common sense, her heart lurched with excitement. He was definitely telling her that last night hadn’t been a one-off for him.

Joy bubbled up inside her and she watched while he left the room and then tried to concentrate on giving the children their breakfast.

‘Why are you smiling, Jenny?’ Zoe’s innocent question made her bite her lip with guilt.

Their mother was lying ill in hospital and here she was smiling like an idiot because of Alex.

‘It’s always good to try and smile, Zoe,’ she said quietly, remembering all the times she’d almost forgotten how to smile after Daisy’s birth. ‘Do you want some more milk?’

Zoe held out her cup. ‘Will I be able to see Mummy today?’

‘I hope so.’ Jenny poured milk into the cup. ‘Your daddy arrived last night so he’ll come and see you soon, too.’

‘Daddy?’ Zoe’s face lit up with excitement and she drank her milk while Athena flung a half-eaten bread roll across the kitchen floor.

* * *

They spent a quiet morning at home, playing with toys and painting pictures, and halfway through the morning the phone rang in Alex’s study.

Jenny hesitated. Should she answer it?

What if it was Andreas, calling from the hospital?

Deciding that she couldn’t risk ignoring a phone when Libby was so ill, she checked that the children were occupied and hurried into Alex’s study.