‘We don’t want to put you out, Mama,’ Rosalind said hastily.

‘As it’s your first night in London I’ll take you both to Rules for dinner.’ Claude gave his wife an apologetic smile. ‘And I’ll have supper later with you, my love.’

‘Very well, Claude. If you feel it’s necessary.’

‘We don’t want you to go to any extra trouble on our behalf,’ Rosalind said quickly. She could see that her mother did not like the idea.

‘No, it’s no trouble.’ Claude rose to his feet. ‘I’ll send Dawson to the restaurant to make a reservation. We’ll dine early so that I can be back in the theatre before the interval,’ he added, eyeing his wife warily. ‘Don’t fret, my love. I’ll be there when you need me.’

Claude was an excellent host and he entertained them at dinner with amusing stories of his past when he represented several well-known performers. They dined well and were about to leave when Rosalind heard a familiar voice. Claude was on his feet already.

‘Bertie, if I’d known you were dining here we could have shared a table.’

‘Bertie.’ Patricia pushed past Claude to throw her arms around her brother’s neck.

‘Patsy. How much wine have you had?’ Bertie held her at arm’s length. ‘What are you doing in town?’ He glanced over her shoulder and his smile widened. ‘And Rosie is here, too. It’s fortunate we chose to come here instead of Simpson’s.’

Rosalind’s smile of welcome faded as she looked past Bertie and saw that his companion was Alex. The shock of seeing him so unexpectedly combined with exhaustion after the long journey, and for a moment she thought she was going to faint, but she managed to remain on her feet. ‘Bertie, this is a lovely surprise.’ She forced herself to remain calm. ‘And you, too, Alex.’

‘I wouldn’t call it that,’ Patricia said icily. ‘You’ll excuse us, Bertie. But we’re both tired after our long journey. I’m staying in Bedford Street for a while, so perhaps I’ll see you again soon.’ She walked past Alex without acknowledging him.

‘Well, I’m blowed.’ Bertie stared after her. ‘I thought she’d have got over it by now, Alex. I’m sorry, old chap. I really didn’t know she would be here.’

Alex shrugged. ‘Don’t worry about it, Bertie.’

‘Well, I must see the young ladies safely back to Bedford Street,’ Claude said gruffly. ‘Call on us at any time, Bertie.’ He gave Alex an apologetic smile as he walked past him.

‘I’ll call on you tomorrow, Rosie,’ Bertie said hurriedly. ‘It’s good to see you, but we’d better take our table before the waiter gives it to someone else.’ He followed the waiter, leaving Rosalind and Alex facing each other.

‘I thought you were in Cornwall, Alex.’