She felt a lump in her throat. Why was George being so good to her all of a sudden?

He stood up.

‘Get yourself washed and I’ll put the towel on the radiator for you so it will be nice and warm when you get out. Shall I make you a drink? Brandy and coke? I made some ice yesterday. Get you in the mood for your night out with the girls.’

Elaine stared at him.

George raised his eyebrows. ‘Brandy and coke, OK?’

Elaine nodded and watched him practically skip out of the bathroom.

She picked up the soap and began to wash herself all over. She stood up and soaped between her legs. Her mind went to Hector then. If only she was married to Hector. If only she had never stood by George.

She smiled to herself ruefully. If regrets were pennies she would be a millionairess by now.

Down in the kitchen, George was taking the ice cubes from their tray. He poured a generous measure of brandy into a tall tumbler and listened to the satisfying crackle as the ice cubes met the alcohol. Then he added a small dash of coke. He didn’t want Elaine’s amour to be disappointed, did he? Give her a few drinks and she’d be well away. George wondered idly who he could be.

He could follow her. He dismissed the idea, he wasn’t really that interested. Whoever the man was, he got Elaine out of the house and that meant George could carry on his own business at his leisure. The thought of having something over Elaine appealed to him, but he might need her one day. Anyway, she deserved to enjoy herself. After all, he had his fun. Who was he to spoil things for her? And if it got serious and she left him, then he would help her pack her bag and kiss her goodbye.

He picked up the drinks and took them up to the bedroom. Elaine was drying herself when he came in. He gave her hers and raised his glass.

‘Cheers. I thought I’d join you myself.’

‘Cheers.’ Elaine took a sip of her drink then grimaced and placed it on the dressing table. She pulled the towel around her tighter and tucked it in over her breasts.

‘Did I tell you what happened today, George?’ She sat on the stool by the dressing table.

‘No.’ He settled himself on the edge of the bed.

‘Well, one of the fellows who deals with the deliveries went and took that test in the precinct . . .’

George’s eyes gleamed. He was just going on to autopilot when her words penetrated his brain.

‘Really! How thrilling! What happened?’

‘Well, it seems it’s a bit more complicated than people thought.’

‘In what way?’ He could feel a slight trembling in his hands and sipped his drink again. He almost loved her again. You could always depend on Elaine to find out what was going on.