Chapter One

At the knock on the door, Melissa sighed and grabbed at the bag of sweets she’d left on the side. Halloween seemed to be the only time they ever received visitors. Tentatively she opened the door.

When she saw who was there, all she wanted to do was slam it shut again.

‘Lawrence.’

He gave her a twisted smile. ‘Melissa.’

She should ask him in, she thought, then dismissed the idea. She was done being subservient to Lawrence. It was nearly three years since she’d left him. Now she did what she wanted, not what was wanted of her. ‘What brings you here?’

‘Aren’t you going to invite me in, first?’

‘No. I repeat, what are you doing here?’

He sighed dramatically. ‘Fine, if we must discuss private matters on your doorstep. The reason I’m here, my darling Melissa, is to ask to see my son over the Christmas holiday.’

Every cell in her body seemed to freeze. Right now she bitterly regretted her decision to let Lawrence know where she’d moved to. At the time she’d harboured a crazy hope that he might change once she’d left him. Might wake up to realise how lucky he was to have such a beautiful son and want to build a proper relationship with him, one borne of love and patience, not disinterest and domination.

The last few years had only proved how delusional she’d been.

‘Christmas?’ she finally managed. ‘How do you expect me to plan that far ahead? I haven’t even thought about it yet.’

‘Which is why I’m telling you now. I’ll be spending a lot of my time in the States over the next month, but I’m back in England for Christmas. Evangeline wants to meet him.’

‘Evangeline?’ Her mind instantly recalled the dark-haired woman she’d shared both a catwalk and a husband with. Evangeline hadn’t smiled because it caused wrinkles, and hadn’t talked to the other models because thought she was above them all. ‘Why her?’

‘What do you mean, why her?’

‘Why would she want to see William?’

‘Because he’s my son.’

Melissa registered the implication, that Lawrence was now dating the super bitch, and felt nothing. No anger, no bitterness, no jealousy. Just a calm nothing. She almost smiled. Almost. ‘Why do you want to see William?’

Lawrence gave her one of his arrogant smirks. ‘Don’t most fathers want to see their sons? Especially over Christmas?’

‘You’re not most fathers. In fact, you’ve barely been one at all.’

‘Come now, you’re being cruel.’ He gave a dismissive shake of his head. ‘It’s not my fault I’ve had to spend most of the last few years out of the country. Let’s just say I want to make up for lost time.’

‘You want to update your image more like.’ She knew her ex-husband, and the world of fashion he was driven by. As one of the country’s leading designers he was constantly setting new trends, many of which continued into his personal life. When she’d first met him he’d been the sophisticated bachelor. A party-animal, enjoying his freedom following a strict upbringing. When he’d married her, he’d morphed into the glamorous, attentive husband. At least as far as the media were concerned. Since their divorce, his star had started to wane. ‘Is William the latest attempt to prop up your dwindling image? Are you trying for super dad?’

‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.’ Scorn filled his features, making him appear cruel.

‘Well, whatever your reason, you can’t take him away for a few days. He hardly knows you. It would terrify him.’

‘Still frightened of his own shadow?’

Her hand clutched tighter onto the door handle. ‘William is a shy, sensitive seven-year-old who needs love and support. Not a fickle father who bullies him.’

Lawrence’s mouth hardened. ‘You’re exaggerating. I simply instilled some much-needed discipline into him. And besides, it’s my right to see him.’

‘Just as it’s my duty as a mother to do what’s best for him. God, Lawrence, you’ve only bothered to see him once since I left you.’ And that stilted afternoon would remain with her for a lifetime. ‘If you want to build a relationship with him, I can’t stop you. But you’ll do it my way, or not at all.’ Melissa marvelled at how calm she sounded. He’d never know by the tone of her voice how much she shook inside. How terrified she was that Lawrence would simply push her aside and take William away.

‘And what is your way?’ Lawrence asked, leaning his shoulder against the wall, his hands loosely shoved into his pocket.

‘We all go out together, at a time and place of my choosing.’

Lawrence snorted. ‘Oh my dear Melissa, I hardly think you’re in a position to dictate terms. The custody agreement clearly stated I would have access to him when I wanted.’ His dark eyes skimmed over her face, scrutinising, assessing. ‘You’re harder than the shy girl I married. It doesn’t suit you.’ Straightening, he carefully secured his flamboyant wine-coloured fedora onto his head. ‘I’ll be in touch.’

Melissa waited until he’d driven off before slamming the door and collapsing on the bottom stair. God, how she wished he were right, and she had become a tougher version of the girl he’d married. If she had, she wouldn’t feel this absolute terror whenever she saw him. At twenty-eight she might have learnt to act confidently, but inside she was still intimidated by him, and she hated herself for it.

‘Mum, are you okay?’ William stood at the top of the stairs, his dark hair spiked up at awkward angles and his round grey eyes looking worried.

Forcing a wide smile onto her face, Melissa stood and beckoned him down. ‘Of course I am. Come on young man, I’ve got something I want to talk to you about while I make the tea.’

Wariness added to the worried look in his eyes ‘Is it about Dad?’

Her heart squeezed painfully. ‘Why do ask?’

‘That was him just now.’

She wondered how much he’d heard – clearly enough to make him worry. Taking hold of his hand, she gave it a quick squeeze. ‘Your dad just needed a quick word with me, that’s all. Now come into the kitchen because I want to tell you about these tennis lessons I’m trying to set up for you.’

‘Simon plays tennis.’

Relieved that the tension had disappeared from his face, Melissa laughed. ‘I know. How would you like to play, too?’

He wrinkled his nose. ‘But it’s winter. People don’t play tennis in the winter.’

‘Ah, that’s where you’re wrong. If you play indoor tennis, you can play all year round. I used to love playing when I was younger.’

William shrugged. ‘I dunno.’

She stifled a sigh. William was always so reticent about trying anything new. ‘Well, the tennis player I used to love watching, who happens to be Simon’s uncle, runs a tennis centre with courts inside, so you can play even when it’s snowing.’ And while her experience with Lawrence had left her distrustful of men, especially rich, successful, overly confident men, she wasn’t averse to the idea of drooling over Daniel McCormick from afar.

‘Is it going to snow?’ Latching onto the last part of her sentence, William’s eyes shone with something close to delight. ‘I want it to snow for Christmas.’

‘That’s a while away yet.’ Smiling, she dipped down to kiss the top of his head. ‘But who knows, by then you might have to walk through the snow to play tennis. Maybe strap the rackets onto the bottom of your feet to help you.’

He started to giggle and the sound warmed her heart. She only wished she heard it more often.

Sitting in the café in his tennis academy, Daniel eyed his sister over his coffee cup. ‘Let me get this straight. You’re asking me to find a space in my coaching programme for the shy seven-year-old son of your friend. I’m expected to be warm and friendly to them both, but under no circumstances come onto her?’

Alice smiled sweetly back at him. ‘I always knew you were good at assimilating information. Come on, you can find little William a space, can’t you? She’ll pay, you know. She isn’t poor. And Simon will love having his friend in the same group.’

Daniel sighed and reached his hands behind his back to stretch out his shoulders. Injury had forced him to give up his professional tennis career several years ago and every now and again he felt a twinge in his right shoulder where they’d had to operate. It became worse when he tensed up, like he was now. Sisters. ‘I’m pretty sure I can find William a place, yes. But assuming the mother is as lovely as you’re saying, why am I not allowed to chat her up? She’s single, isn’t she?’

Alice shifted back against her chair. They shared looks – dark hair and brown eyes – but not temperament. Where he was calm and patient, Alice was impetuous. Where he was laid-back and easy going, unless he was on a tennis court, Alice was gregarious and at times temperamental. Daniel was thirty-three and still single. Alice, older by three years, was onto her third husband.

‘We’re talking about Melissa Raven, Daniel. Haven’t you heard of her?’

Daniel searched his mind, but came up blank. ‘Should I have?’

Alice let out an exasperated sigh. ‘She was the face of the Raven fashion label for years. Surely you’ve heard of Raven? You’ve probably got a suit made by them somewhere in your wardrobe and you’re just too ignorant to know it.’

‘Hey, if we’re going to start trading fashion insults I can think of a few horrors you’ve worn over the years. I still remember that fluorescent-green dress.’

She gave him the traditional sister put down – sticking her tongue out at him. ‘I was just trying to tell you that Melissa was a famous model and that Lawrence Raven, the world-renowned designer, was her husband.’

‘I take it they’re divorced?’

‘Yes, and she goes by her maiden name of Stanford now. I’ve only known her for two years, since William and Simon became friends at school, but long enough to know she doesn’t like talking about her marriage. I think she went through a pretty bad time and still carries a lot of pain and mistrust. She tells me she’s sworn off men.’

Pushing his empty cup away, Daniel raised a dark eyebrow. ‘If that’s the case, neither of you have anything to fear from me.’

‘Oh no, I know you too well. You won’t be able to stop from trying to charm the socks off her. She’s just your type.’

‘First, I don’t try and charm. I charm. Second, what do you mean, my type? I wasn’t aware I had a type.’

Alice smirked. ‘Not in the traditional sense of blonde versus brunette, no. But you do always hanker after women who are both gorgeous and smart. Then you get let down because that combination are usually also arrogant and pushy, which you hate. Melissa is stunning, clever, but actually quite shy.’

Feeling slightly irritated now, Daniel glanced at his watch. ‘Much as I’d love to carry on discussing your version of what I might find attractive, I’m afraid I’ve got to dash.’ He rose from the table, unfurling long, muscular legs encased in navy track suit bottoms. At six and a half feet tall, he dwarfed most people he met, including his sister. Bending down, he placed a kiss on her cheek. ‘Tell this friend of yours that she and William can come by next week. And I promise to keep my hands off her.’ He walked away a few steps before looking over his shoulder and giving Alice a wink. ‘At least for now.’