Janey had just finished painting a circus on the walls of the children’s bedroom. She stood back to take a look at it.
A red and white striped tent was painted around the window, which represented the entrance. She intended to hang matching curtains at either side. Elephants trumpeted, seals balanced balls on their noses, lions roared. There were jugglers and clowns, trapeze artists and dappled ponies with plumes on their heads. It looked good against the sunny yellow background.
‘You’ve forgotten the ring master.’
Heart thumping, she spun around. ‘Griff! What are you doing here?’
‘Visiting you. I was taking Gypsy for a walk and saw the light was on. I brought her into the hall. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Not in the least.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I didn’t realize it was so late. I wanted to get this finished before the bedroom furniture is delivered tomorrow. We’re moving in at the weekend, the day after the children’s birthday.’
One dark eyebrow rose. ‘Children? Did I miss something, or were there two of Saffy to begin with?’
She laughed. ‘Ah yes, of course ... didn’t your father tell you? Linda’s son is living with me now. Justin’s so sweet, you’ll adore him.’ Her eyes searched his dear, familiar face. ‘It’s so good to see you, Griff.’
His smile came then, slow and infinitely beautiful. His eyes had a teasing light. ‘What are you waiting for? Come and give me a hug, then.’
She stopped breathing for a second, and then she was in his arms and squeezing him tight. There was an aura of cold night air clinging to him.
He kissed the top of her head, and then held her at arm’s length, making his own inspection.
Clear green eyes, her mouth peachy soft and kissable – and best of all, the tension she’d displayed the last time they’d met was gone. A smudge of green paint decorated one satiny cheek. She looked good enough to eat, he thought, and made a superhuman effort to prevent himself from running his finger down her cheek. ‘You look great.’
A shy laugh dismissed his observation. ‘Your eyes need testing. I’m wearing a pair of my father’s overalls cut off at the ankles, my hair’s a mess, and I’m covered in paint. You, on the other hand, look wonderful – and more rested than I’ve ever seen you.’
‘That’s because I’m no longer burning the candle at both ends.’ A self-conscious grin spread across his face. ‘I’m now a fully qualified surgeon, and a member of the Royal College.’
‘Oh, Griff, I’m so proud of you.’
‘Stop sounding like a mother. How have you been?’
‘Who’s talking like a doctor?’ she retorted, knowing exactly what he was referring to. ‘I’m fine. How long are you here for?’
It seemed as if they couldn’t stop grinning at each other.
‘A couple of days ... but in February I’ve got a whole month off.’
‘Good, you’ll be here for my birthday and house-warming party. I intend to invite all my friends, both old and new.’
‘Stephen and Dion might come as a bit of a shock to the locals,’ he murmured, giving a chuckle as he slipped his arm around her waist. ‘Show me around the house, and then I’ll walk you back to Canford cottage. It’s getting late.’
‘I have a car. It was a Christmas present from my father.’ Eager to show off her driving skills she offered to drive him home.
‘I didn’t realize you had a driving licence.’
She gave a small, ashamed grin. ‘I haven’t quite got my licence yet, so I only drive myself here at night, when nobody can see me. Will you wait while I bank up the Aga? I want to keep the chill off the house so it’s warm for the children when we move in.’
‘I’ll do it.’
He kissed her goodnight when she dropped him off, a small friendly kiss she couldn’t read anything into. ‘Can I give you a hand with the furniture tomorrow?’
‘That would be lovely. It’s arriving about eleven. If you come earlier and help me hang the curtains, I’ll cook you breakfast.’
He gave an easy laugh. ‘How can I resist.’
It was almost pitch black when she drove away, her headlights a small friendly tunnel showing her the way. There were no stars, no moon and the cold was bitter. The warmth of her breath steamed up the window. She rubbed it away with her palm before it turned to ice.
A light in Coombe Cottage burned in the distance.
She would be glad to get home. The high hedges either side of the lane seemed to curve in over her. A panicky terror suddenly took a grip on her. She’d avoided coming this way since she’d been back.
She began to perspire as the cow shed came into view. Sweat trickled between her breasts in a clammy stream, and soaked through the underarms of her overalls. The erratic thumping of her heart was startlingly loud in her ears.
This is where it happened! This is where she’d been beaten and raped by the man she thought was her father. Her throat dried up and she began to feel sick. Her foot pushed the accelerator to the floor.
Then she was past it – her mouth salty with adrenalin, her blood pumping against her ears and tears streaming down her face as she raced by her former home with its unhappy memories. Only then did she slow down, and she was trembling all over when she finally drew the car to a halt.
A few minutes later she was safely inside Canford Cottage and retching violently into the toilet bowl.
Her father was waiting for her when she emerged. His concern made her want to cry. He’d spent years in prison paying for someone else’s crime. He should hate her, not stand there looking at her with love in his eyes.
‘I passed the spot where ... where it happened.’ She took a deep breath. ‘It made me feel sick, that’s all.’
He made her a hot drink, and added a dash of brandy. Seating her by the fire, he said, ‘Would you like to talk about it?’
Talk about it – how could she? Eddie Renfrew was too ill to even consider bringing to justice. She didn’t want to be responsible for causing his death. Then there was Pamela and Susie ... Linda even, who loved her father. How would they feel if she told them? Even if they believed her, she might lose Justin. What good would talking about it do except make everyone else’s life miserable? It wouldn’t give her father back his lost years.
I’ll beat this fear, she thought. I’ll go back there one day in the daylight, walk right into the cowshed, face my ghosts and say boo!
She pulled herself together, summoning up a smile for her father’s benefit. ‘There’s nothing to talk about. I was just being foolish.’ Her hand covered his. ‘I’m all right now. Go back to bed, dad. I’m sorry I woke you.’
‘You’re sure?’
Why didn’t he just go, she thought wearily. Couldn’t he see she wanted to be alone? ‘I’ll be going to bed myself in a minute. I’ve got a busy day ahead tomorrow. Griff’s coming over to help and Susie’s promised to keep an eye on the children for me.’
‘That’s good.’ His voice contained a tiny nuance of hurt. ‘Good-night, then. I’ll see you in the morning.’
She followed shortly afterwards, crawling into her bed like a rabbit seeking the safety of its burrow. Her sleep was restless, as if she’d fallen into a deep, dark hole filled with unseen terrors. When she fought her way out of it, it was into a pewter-colored ghost of dawn.
* * * *
Linda and Martin were having an argument. Eddie could hear them from his seat in front of the window.
He squeezed the rubber ball in his hand. Squeeze and release – squeeze and release.
His strength was returning. He could walk unaided now, taking little shuffling steps. He could talk too, with only a slight slur in his voice.
Martin’s voice was cold and precise. ‘We’ll have to sell the house.’
‘What about my father? It’s his home too. We can’t just sell it from under him.’
Eddie nodded to himself in the sudden silence. Linda knew where her duty lay.
Then Martin drawled. ‘Of course, if you looked after him we wouldn’t have to pay for a nurse. That way, we could afford the mortgage, old girl.’
‘Like hell!’ Linda’s voice had a decisive snap to it. ‘I can’t stomach that sort of thing. I intend to return to London since my social calendar is full. What about the church nursing home? Perhaps they’d take him. We could sell the house, then. I’ll talk to the priest.’
The ball dropped from Eddie’s hand and rolled across the floor. Shock pounded at his temple like a hammer. How could she consider such a thing?
‘Poor Eddie,’ Margaret said in his ear. ‘Linda turned out to be a selfish young woman, didn’t she?’
‘She doesn’t mean it. She wouldn’t turn me out of my home.’
‘Wouldn’t she, when she turned her own baby out. His living with Janey ... remember her ... remember what you did to her?’
‘She had to pay for her sin – so did Jack Bellamy.’
‘We were the sinners, Eddie. I paid the price, now you must too. You have to confess.’
‘I have confessed – to the priest. There’s nothing on my conscience.’
‘God wants you to do it the right way. He wants you to clear Jack Bellamy’s name. He told me so himself.’
He was surprised she’d try to trick him into pardoning her lover.
‘God must tell me that himself. Bellamy has to pay for what he did.’
‘He has paid.’ She came and stood beside him, looking as sweet and innocent in her gym slip and long socks as she had on that day long ago ... the day he’d made her his. Her eyes were sad. ‘We could go away afterwards, just you and I. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’
‘Yes ... yes,’ he said eagerly. He loved Margaret, he’d always loved her. She hadn’t died; she’d just gone away for a while. Now she was back, and they’d be together always. ‘Tell God to come and see me, Margaret. I’ll do whatever he commands.’
‘You can’t bargain directly with God. You know the rules.’
‘An angel then; ask him to send an angel to guide me.’
The door was pushed open. It was Linda, with her painted Jezebel face and her bright, false smile. Something about her reminded him of Sarah Wyman and he glared at her.
‘I thought I heard voices.’ Linda’s nose wrinkled. You smell dreadful. ‘I can’t stay very long, I have to get back to London. Did you have a nice Christmas? The nurse said you’ve been behaving yourself lately. That’s good. We can’t afford to lose her, can we?’
A swift, pulsing rage filled him. She needed pulling into line. He began to stutter, anything to bring her nearer.
‘What is it?’ She came closer and bent her face to his. ‘Speak a bit more clearly?’
‘Traitor!’ he hissed, spitting in her face.
She screeched like a parrot as she recoiled. ‘You disgusting pig!’ Frantically, she scrubbed at the spittle with a handkerchief. ‘This is the last time I visit you. As far as I’m concerned, you can go and rot in a nursing home.’
‘Honor your father and mother!’ he thundered. ‘Get down on your knees, Linda. Repent your sins.’
‘Shut your mouth,’ she hissed. ‘I had enough of that rubbish when I was growing up.’ One venomous glare and she was gone, banging the door behind her.
From the corner of the room, Margaret gave a soft giggle. ‘My, she’s like you, Eddie. If you hadn’t been so blind, you would have seen this coming.’
‘More toast?’
Griff leaned back in his chair and grinned. ‘No thanks, I’ve eaten enough to last me for a month. Another mug of tea would go down well, though. The stuff they serve up at the hospital is like dishwater.’
‘You’re nothing like my doctor.’ Susie hastened to fill up his cup. ‘He’s an antique. He smells of mothballs and looks as though he’s swallowed a lizard.’
‘Like this?’ Griff pursed his mouth and bulged his eyes.
‘Almost.’ Susie made the same face, only worse. Looking down her nose at them she said in a strangled voice. ‘What can I do foah yew, young lady?’
Griff exchanged a glance with Janey and they both burst into laughter.
‘It’s not funny.’ Susie rolled her eyes to the ceiling. ‘I ask you, how can a girl confide anything personal to a wrinkly in tweed plus fours? As soon as I’m old enough, I’m going to sign on with somebody modern, like Doctor Kildare.’ She sighed. ‘He’s so handsome.’
Her eyes darted to Justin, whose rear end was disappearing out of the door after Saffy. ‘Wait for me you little pests. I don’t want you to fall down the stairs into the coal cellar.’
Griff’s eyes were full of amusement as he watched her go. ‘I’ve never met anyone quite like Susie before. Did you know she asked me to deliver a fruit cake to Devlin?’
‘And will you?’
‘I don’t see why not. I’ll have an hour or so to spare before I start work, and it would be nice to see him again.’
‘She and Devlin got on like house on fire. They’re quite alike in some ways. She was delighted when he sent her a cookery book for Christmas. I think she has a crush on him.’
‘She’s the right age.’ A teasing light came into his eyes. ‘Didn’t you have a crush on me, once?’
‘At an early age,’ she said ruefully. ‘You became my hero after you saved the life of that mouse.’
Puzzled, he stared at her. ‘Mouse?’
‘Surely you’ve not forgotten. You told me off for keeping it in a glass jar.’
Eyes clearing, he laughed. ‘That mouse was a definite case of rigor mortis. Not even a miracle would have brought it back to life.’
‘But it was alive ... after.’
‘A simple enough procedure, I swapped it for a live one.’
The disappointment that welled up in her was stupid. ‘You tricked me, Griff.’
‘So I did?’ he mocked. ‘Your hero has clay feet, after all.’
‘Couldn’t you have just told me it was dead?’
‘I could have.’ Griff finished his tea and stood up, his gaze dark on hers. He reached out and gently touched her cheek. ‘To be quite honest I couldn’t bear to see you cry. Where are the curtains you want hanging?’
‘In the bedrooms I’ve painted. I’ll go fetch the hooks. The other two bedrooms can wait.’
‘I take it this is the guest room?’ Griff said a little later. He attached the last hook to a pair of straw colored curtains, and gave them a test run. ‘It’s got a nice view over the village.’
‘It’s going to be Tim’s room.’
From his perch on top of the ladder, Griff turned and gazed at her. ‘Tim is going to stay here?’
‘Didn’t I tell you? He’s been posted to Portland for three months, and has offered to help me redecorate the house in return for bed and board.’
‘Is that wise?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Don’t act stupid, Janey. You know exactly what I mean.’
Her face suddenly flamed. ‘Come off it, Griff? First it was Devlin, now Tim. Don’t you know me better than that?’
His sigh signaled his exasperation. ‘For pity’s sake get off your high horse ... this is a small village, remember?’
‘I don’t give a tinker’s cuss what anyone thinks.’
‘You haven’t just got yourself to consider? There’s Saffy and Justin.’
Their eyes locked in silent battle, hers indignant blue, his dark and implacable. The man she’d always thought she could count on for support had suddenly become an adversary.
He cares, a silent voice said in her head. Griff was risking their friendship because he cares ... and I do give a tinker’s cuss. What if Robert Pitt jumped to the same conclusion and took Justin away? Being a mother to Saffy without a marriage certificate to her name was already a strike against her in some people’s eyes.
She capitulated a fraction. ‘Okay, so I hadn’t considered that people might gossip. Is that a crime?’
Griff hurled her a dark look in reply. They were silent as they stalked into the next room. His back was so stiff she could almost see the hackles ridging along his spine.
She bared her teeth in a snarl as he climbed the stepladder. If she could have sunk them into the taut buttocks he turned her way, she would have. ‘Okay, damn it! I admit you’re right, Griff. But I can’t cancel the arrangement now. It’s too late.’
Savagely, Griff hooked the curtains into the rings. ‘Why is it?’
‘Why?’ she spluttered. ‘Because I don’t want to go back on my word, besides which ...’ her brain scrambled around for a plausible reason, but only produced one lame answer. ‘I need Tim’s help.’
‘Plenty of people would help. I have a whole month off in February. Why didn’t you ask me?’
He was so infuriating! ‘How could I have asked you? I only found out myself last night. Why didn’t you tell me sooner, come to that?’
Briefly, the thought crossed her mind that his attitude might be more than just caring. Was he a tiny bit jealous because she’d accepted Tim’s offer of help before asking him?
‘I didn’t realize you were such a stuffed shirt, Griff. It must be the gypsy in you.’ Her prod brought an unexpected reaction.
He tested the curtains with such force the runner dislodged from one end and bent under the weight of the curtains. As if they were attached to a set of miniature roller skates, the whole lot slid down the runner into a heap on the floor.
So much for injured pride. Sense of humor fueled by the event, she snorted with laughter. ‘Never take my appendix out, Doctor. You’re too clumsy.’
He turned, his eyes laced with reluctant amusement. ‘If you dare say another word I’ll stitch your tongue to the end of your nose. Then we’ll see who’s clumsy.’
She stuck it out in the most provoking manner she could manage.
When he made a flying leap from the ladder she was ready for it. Dashing out on to the landing she galloped down stairs two at a time with him after her.
He caught her at the bottom in a rugby tackle and they rolled across the carpet in a tangle of arms and legs until he managed to pin her down, her hands above her head.
Laughing and breathless they gazed at each other.
‘Apologize for calling me a stuffed shirt,’ he demanded.
‘I refuse. You were totally out of line.’
His smile became rueful. ‘I was, and I’m sorry. Let’s kiss and make up.’
Something hit her in the solar plexus, turning it to liquid. ‘Griff ... I ...’
‘Be quiet,’ he growled. His mouth touched against hers so gently she could have curled up and died from the pleasure of it.
‘Janey, are you there?’
‘Damn!’ he murmured against her mouth, and then rising swiftly to his feet he pulled her upright.
They moved apart when Pamela came into the hall.
‘Hello dear. You look a bit flushed. I hope you’re not catching a cold, or something. Hello Griffin. I’ve just been talking to your father. He said you were
home. Ada has sent over a steak and kidney pie for lunch. I just have to warm it through I’m sure there will be enough to go round if I do some vegetables to go with it.’
Janey giggled when Griff winked at her.
Pamela gazed from one to the other, suddenly awkward. ‘I hope I didn’t come at a bad moment.’
‘It was a perfect moment,’ Griff said, almost keeping his face straight. ‘Wouldn’t you agree, Janey?’
‘Perfect,’ she said faintly, then burst into laughter.
‘Mum!’
When Susie came running through from the back room Pamela sighed with relief. She had the feeling she’d just made a fool of herself.
‘Come and see the house. It’s fantastic. The kitchen’s groovy and the rooms are so big. I wish it was ours.’
The solution to the problem Tim had unwittingly caused suddenly presented itself. Janey grabbed at it, wondering why she hadn’t thought of it before.
‘Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about that. There are two spare bedrooms, if you’d like to move in. We could be a family again.’
If Susie had been born with a tail she would have wagged it. ‘Can we mum? I hate being all by myself in that tiny little room at the big house. There’s never anyone to talk to, and Saffy and Justin are here and I’ll be able to bring the dog as well.’
‘Well ...’ Pamela smiled as Saffy and Justin appeared. ‘That would be very nice if Janey doesn’t mind, but only until I can afford alternative accommodation. We mustn’t impose.’
Susie dismissed the notion with a snort. ‘Can I have the bedroom with pink roses? It’s ever so pretty, and right next door to the nursery.’ Eyes shining, she picked up Justin and smacked a kiss on his forehead. ‘Wait till you see the nursery. It’s got a circus on the wall. Bring Saffy, mum. I was just going to show it to them.’
The cheeky grin Janey shot at Griff when they disappeared up the stairs was returned by a wink.
‘Shot down in flames. I guess I’d better go and get that curtain rail sorted out before the furniture arrives.’
‘Griff?’ she said as he ambled away.
He turned, his eyes liquid darkness in the shadowed contours of his face.
‘Thanks ... for everything.’
A wry smile touched his mouth, though there was still a slight measure of tension to it. ‘My pleasure ... I think?’
The children’s birthday party was a family affair, because neither of the two children was old enough to know what birthdays were.
Susie made an iced sponge cake covered in bright assortment of jelly babies. The three godfathers had remembered to send gifts, with both Griff and Devlin providing an extra one for Justin.
John Pitt had phoned the day before, saying he had a cold and couldn’t make it. He’d visit as soon as he was better, and what did she consider a suitable present for the two children?
‘They’ve got plenty of toys,’ she said. ‘What they do need is some sort of harness for the car. That’s if anyone makes such a thing. I’m taking my driving test next week, and although the Anglia has no back doors I’d feel much happier if the children were restrained in some way.’
‘I’ll make enquiries,’ he said hoarsely. ‘Whilst I have you on the phone, I’m happy to inform you that Justin’s parents have agreed to my suggestion regarding his guardianship. If you’re of the same mind I’ll bring some papers for you to sign. Your signature will need to be independently witnessed by someone of good standing and character.’
‘I’ll ask Charles Wyman. He’s been named in the honors list, and is about to be knighted.’
Hearing his hacking cough, she implored, ‘Please go to bed and rest, Mister Pitt. You should look after yourself with that cold. A glass of hot lemon with a teaspoon of honey and a tot of whisky in it will help ease your cough.’
‘Thank you, dear. That sounds like a sensible, and delicious remedy. I’ll try it. And please ... could you bring yourself to call me Robert from now on in?’
It wasn’t until the day after the party that Janey realized that Linda and Martin hadn’t even sent their son a birthday card. Linda appeared in the social pages now and again: Sarah Wyman, Noel Chatterton, Linda and Martin Pitt at the hospital charity ball. Twice, she was with an older man. Linda Pitt at the opera with financier, Ibn Faisal Gamal. Mrs. Pitt and Ibn Faisal Gamal at Covent Garden. Mrs.. Pitt was wearing ...?
Diamonds at her throat, around her neck, on her fingers – a designer gown, fur coat. Linda looked absolutely stunning.
Within a week, Janey had unpacked the boxes that had been stored in the house. It struck her as odd that she’d done all those paintings and didn’t have any to put on her own walls.
Except Mistral! Going into the room she’d chosen as a studio she unwrapped it, and placing it on the easel stood back and studied it. It was a good painting. The woman looked steadily back at her through luminous challenging eyes, her hair blowing in the wind.
‘Who’s that?’ Pamela said, coming up behind her. ‘Did you paint it?’
‘ Yes I did. It’s Saffy’s paternal grandmother.’
‘Oh!’ There was a moment’s silence, then, hesitantly. ‘She looks a bit like you.’
‘Yes, I know.’ She threw the cloth back over it. ‘She’s dead.’
Only she hadn’t been dead in Drifter’s memory! It was odd how she hardly ever thought of him now, the man who’d once meant so much to her. As they walked away, she wondered if she’d ever see him again.
New Year came and went. She passed her driving test with flying colors, coming home triumphant. It snowed the day after, enchanting the children who clambered up on an armchair and gazed at it out of the window. She and Susie built them a snowman, but it turned to slush overnight.
Justin found his feet and lurched from chair to chair with an intense determined look on his face. He’d gaze silently at her afterwards, seeking approval for his achievement.
She praised him often, with kisses, and cuddles and tender words. He wasn’t confident like Saffy and she’d begun to realize that Justin was a child who needed lots of encouragement.
Robert Pitt visited, bringing with him some child restraints, which he fitted to the back seat of her car.
She hesitantly asked if she could consult him about her finances. ‘My agent has just sent me another check. I haven’t had time to deposit the last one yet.’
‘Has any tax been paid on this?’ he asked.
She gave a helpless shrug. ‘I really don’t know. Devlin Cox has been handling my finances.’
‘I’d better ring him and find out. Is he trustworthy?’
‘Absolutely,’ she snapped, feeling suddenly affronted on Devlin’s behalf.
‘One can’t be too careful,’ he said dryly. ‘Have you enough for your day-to-day expenses without this?’
‘Yes ... for the next two years at least. Longer if I’m careful.’
‘Mortgage payments?’
‘I bought the house outright.’
Robert Pitt looked impressed. ‘Then we should be able to make this money work for you.’
She hesitated again. ‘There’s also Saffy’s account,’ and she laid the passbook on the table. I’m not quite sure if I did the right thing with it. It’s quite a lot of money.’
His eyes widened when he saw the amount. ‘Money like this should be accounted for, and properly handled. Where did it come from?’
‘Saffy’s paternal family. I was tempted to tear the check up.’
‘Thank goodness you had the sense not to, though it could be earning better interest.’
He gave a slight smile. ‘And you’re not going to tell me their name?’
‘Taunt!’ she said stiffly. ‘Saffy’s grandfather is Ingram Fairfax Taunt.’
‘I’ve heard of him. He’s big in publishing, I believe.’
It was funny how Robert Pitt managed to cut the tycoon down to size with one terse sentence. She managed a small, wry, smile. ‘I guess you could say this was a pay-off.’
His eyes were bland as they gazed at her. ‘Why didn’t you tear it up?’
‘Saffy had lost her father and deserved something in return. This would have been small change to Ingram Taunt. I didn’t want Saffy to be raised the same way as I was, and I didn’t take this for myself, it’s for Saffy’s future. Her father loved her, despite what happened.’
‘He hasn’t tried to contact you?’
She shook her head. ‘To be honest, I think our relationship was over long before the end came. We just didn’t see it.’
She took a deep breath. This was the second time in days she’d reopened this old wound, and although there wasn’t as much scar tissue as she’d imagined there would be, it still hurt.
It was only pride that was hurt, she thought. She could overcome it.
‘Both of us had a lot of growing up to do, I guess. If Saffy’s father wanted to see her at any time in the future I wouldn’t object. He wasn’t a bad man, and I’d like her to know who he is.’
‘My dear, girl.’ His hand closed over hers for a second. ‘I’d say you’re managing your life with a great deal of maturity.’
Robert had a depth of feeling, despite his stern, old-fashioned exterior. She was relieved when he offered to manage her financial affairs.
A few days later she watched from an upstairs window as Tim tore up the road. He was driving a noisy motorbike and sidecar with blue smoke trailing out the exhaust. It backfired as he drew to a halt.
She was downstairs in a flash, throwing open the door before he had time to knock.
Smiling broadly, he dropped a couple of suitcases on to the hall floor, then kicking the door shut behind him, grabbed her up in his arms and whirled her around. ‘Sorry about the noise, something dropped off when I went over a pothole. Guess who I picked up on the way in?’
‘Griff?’
‘How did you know?’
‘Just a guess, I knew he was taking a holiday this month.’
‘I dropped him off at his father’s place. Good God!’ He set her on her feet. ‘Look at the state of this place. Pink Roses everywhere!’
‘Not everywhere.’ There are also blue and yellow ones. However, I’ve painted your room a pale yellow. You know where to find it.’
Saffy wandered out from the lounge to see what all the fuss was about.
Tim held out his arms. ‘Look how pretty you’ve become. Come and give your favorite godfather a kiss.’
Saffy was shy for a few seconds and then she launched herself into his arms with a smile on her face and gave him a dribbly kiss.
‘That’s what I like, a girl who’s sassy as well as easy.’ Tim’s glance suddenly went to the doorway. ‘Hello, who are you, young fellow?’
Justin stuck his thumb in his mouth and stared at Tim, uncertain.
Scooping him into her arms, Janey kissed him. ‘This is Justin ... Linda’s son. He lives with us.’
Tim stared unbelievingly at her for a few seconds, then his mouth relaxed into an ironic grin, and he shook his head. ‘That’s figures.’
Justin pointed at the shiny buttons on Tim’s coat and chuckled, then buried his face in her neck.
‘If you imagine you’re eating my buttons you can think again, young man. Saffy chewed the last lot and I had to replace them. My superior officer told me I was a disgrace to the British Navy.’
How uncomplicated Tim was, Janey thought, as she watched him lower Saffy to the floor and open his suitcase. Justin wriggled to be put down and went to join her, watching solemnly as Tim brought out a brightly colored box.
‘I guess you’d better have this, Saffy.’ He touched the catch and a jack-in-the-box sprang out. Saffy squealed with delight. Astonished, Justin took a step backwards and fell over.
‘And this is for you, Justin. A genuine plastic toy radio made in Hong Kong.’ Tim wound up the knob in the middle and animals went round a dial as it played a tinkling tune.
A smile spread across Justin’s face and he began to rock backwards and forwards with it held in his arms.
‘He’s getting in the groove. Go Justin! Wasn’t it clever of me to bring two gifts? I must be a mind reader.’
Dear Tim, he was so natural and nice. He’d matured into an easy-going man with a great sense of humor, she thought. Linda would never know what she’d missed out on. She hoped he’d find a woman more worthy of him, one he could share his future with.
‘Let me make you some tea before Susie gets home from school.’
‘Susie?’
‘My sister, surely you remember her?’
‘Oh that Susie.’
‘She and my stepmother live here too,’
His eyes met hers for a second, and then he gave an easy, self-effacing laugh. ‘I can take a hint. Nice move, Janey, no wonder Griff looked so damned smug?’
‘Why would Griff look smug?’ Then she remembered his kiss and an unexpected blush warmed her cheeks.
Tim laughed as he ruffled her hair. ‘I might just give him a run for his money.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ she said as he grabbed up his luggage and headed up the stairs. ‘There’s nothing but friendship between Griff and myself.’
He turned to gaze at her then slowly smiled.
Her face heated up even more. ‘Absolutely nothing.’