The thought of Eric fancying her was strange. He looked a lot like Mike. He was the same big build and hair colour. Eric had larger eyes, and from the point of view of many women, he would probably have been classed as the better looking. Yet he didn’t have Mike’s qualities, his manner, or his self-control that people either feared or respected. However, Eric’s face seemed to light up when she looked his way. What was she thinking? He was Mike’s brother. She shouldn’t be looking into his eyes that way or studying his physique. It was Mike she loved.

‘Look, I’m sorry, Zara. Just forget everything I’ve said. You can stay at mine for a while. I can stay at Mum’s.’

She suddenly took a deep breath. ‘No, it’s fine, Eric. You have a spare room, I take it?’

With a glow on his cheeks, he laughed. ‘Yep. Four, actually!’

‘Blimey, you’re doing all right for yourself. Four, eh?’ She tried to make light of the serious mood.

He wasn’t sure if she was joking and instantly retorted, ‘Why would you say that? Mike has a bigger drum than me.’

‘Oh no, sorry. I was just making light of it, that’s all.’

They continued the journey, with Eric feeling awkward and Zara wondering more and more if she’d made the right decision.

She was surprised how close Eric’s house was to Mike’s. What shocked her even more though was that inside the décor was almost identical. The cream carpets, the marble hallway, and even the sofas were an exact match. She blinked and told herself she was overthinking things.

‘This is lovely, Eric.’

He smiled as a wave of tenderness washed over him. She looked at home here in his large lounge. He could see her sitting on the sofa sipping herbal tea and sharing sweet conversation.

His perfect picture fizzled out when she said, ‘You don’t mind me using a spare room . . . ? It will only be for a day or so, until the dust settles. I just need to know that Jackie hasn’t put me in the frame.’

‘Oh yeah, sure, of course. I’ll show you upstairs.’

She followed him up the luxurious deep pile carpeted stairs and into the last room on the left. It was a spacious room with sumptuous bed covers set on a large ornate bedframe. Taken aback by the sheer design, she turned and grinned. ‘This is lovely, Eric. You must give me the number of your designer.’

‘Designer? Oh no, this was all my idea. I like to keep a nice home and have my guests feeling comfortable.’

She smiled again and moseyed around the room, admiring the furniture and curtains. As she turned, with her back to the window, he was still standing there. The moment was awkward, sending a shiver up Zara’s spine.