taking some vitamin pills or something?’ asked Harry. ‘You’re in a very good mood today.’
‘Are you suggesting I’m a bit hard to get on with some days?’ she demanded.
‘Yes,’ he said bluntly. ‘But so am I. Which is why we work well together, boss.’
Sarah had just finished supper when Alex rang that evening.
‘Reporting in,’ he said. ‘Had a good day?’
‘A wonderful day,’ she told him. ‘Did your mother get away on time this morning?’
‘She did. And sent you her love. Love, not regards, she emphasised. You two really hit it off.’
‘We certainly did. I like your mother very much, Alex.’
‘Me too. I miss her when she goes back to Stratford. I’ll need a lot of loving care from you, Sarah, to console me.’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’
Alex heaved a sigh. ‘It’s going to be a long week. Did I mention bringing an overnight bag with you on Saturday?’
‘No.’ Though Sarah had intended to anyway.
‘If I only get you at weekends, Sarah Carver, that means from the moment you get to my place until first thing on Monday morning. Understood?’
‘Understood.’
‘And the following week I expect the weekend to start on Friday evening,’ he informed her. ‘I don’t care how tired you are. You can doze the evening away on my sofa if you want. No need to drive. I’ll fetch you, and drive you back on Monday morning. Do you approve my plan?’
‘I just love your plan,’ she said, and, since there was silence on the line for a moment, concluded she’d rendered him speechless.
On the way back to Medlar House the following Friday, Sarah was in such high spirits that Harry cast her a sly look
‘Got a date tonight?’
‘Not tonight. Tomorrow.’
‘Good for you. All work and no play’s a bad thing at your age.’
‘Any age, Harry. So you have a good weekend too.’
Normally Sarah felt so weary on Friday evenings that she was too tired to do anything other than shower, eat and go to bed early with a book. This Friday she felt totally different. Probably because she’d been eating properly all week. And talking to Alex every night. So, instead of wasting part of her Saturday on cleaning and laundry she got on with it straight away, so she could turn up early next day at Glebe Barn as a surprise.
When Alex rang later, she told him he sounded tired.
‘I am—whereas you sound full of beans, Sarah.’
‘It’s been a good week. We’ve got a lot done. I can now enjoy my weekend with a clear conscience.’
‘With me.’
‘With you.’
‘I can’t wait.’ He yawned. ‘I’m halfway home. I stopped at a service station for coffee to get me through the rest of the journey.’
‘For heaven’s sake, drive carefully!’
‘You sound as though you care.’
‘I do.’
‘So do I,’ he said softly. ‘See you tomorrow, darling. Come as early as you can.’
Next morning Sarah did her shopping at the Post Office stores, rather than waste precious time driving miles to a supermarket. When she got back she put the food away, collected her overnight bag, and set off as she was, in jeans and a white cotton shirt, smiling as she pictured Alex’s face when she turned up earlier than expected.
But when she arrived at Glebe Barn she found another car there before her, parked alongside Alex’s Cherokee. A Porsche, Sarah noted, eyebrows raised. As she got out of the car she heard voices raised at the rear of the house. Helen had told her Alex was doing something in his garden this weekend. Apparently he had help. Female help.
Sarah went round the side of the house, then froze at the sight of a woman in Alex’s arms. With a gasp, she turned tail and fled. But her feet crunched on the pebbles, and before she could reach her car Alex caught her.
‘Sarah, it’s not what you think.’ He pulled her close and kissed her very thoroughly. ‘You don’t know how glad I am to see you,’ he said, with feeling.
‘Are you?’ she said breathlessly.
‘Yes. Thank God you came early. Come on.’ He led her round to the patio he was building at the back. The woman stood there, tapping an impatient foot. She was tall and slender, with suspiciously voluptuous breasts, and straight blonde hair which framed a stunningly beautiful face.
Alex tightened his arm round Sarah as he introduced her. ‘Sarah Carver, meet Maxine Merrick—my father’s second wife.’
Help, thought Sarah. And what an odd way for Alex to describe his stepmother. ‘How do you do?’
‘Hello,’ said Maxine curtly, and stabbed a