Irresistible Temptation

He frowned swiftly. It all seemed rather measured—even calculating, perhaps—but what the hell? He was past expecting to be knocked flat by passion at first sight—the genuine coup de foudre that people sighed about.

On the other hand, he wanted to be sure that when he married his marriage would last, and not fall into the kind of disarray he saw all around him.

Like Maria and Jeremy, he thought grimly, and cursed under his breath as the Butler girl invaded his mind’s eye again.

I should have sent her packing, he told himself, restively. So why didn’t I? And what can I do to salvage the situation?

He swung his chair round and picked up the phone, punching in a familiar number.

‘Maria?’ His face relaxed into a smile. ‘So, how’s it going?’

As evening approached Olivia was on tenterhooks, pacing up and down her room, eyeing her mobile phone. Willing it to ring.

When it finally obliged, she pounced on it with a sob of relief. ‘Jeremy?’

‘No, it’s Beth. Just calling to see how you’re settling in?’ Beth paused. ‘I gather lover boy isn’t around?’

‘Not at the moment.’ Olivia managed to sound amused as well as rueful. ‘I would choose a weekend when he’s working away. But I’m expecting him back any minute now,’ she added hastily.

‘Then I won’t keep you. I just wanted to make sure you were all right, and check on your address. It is number sixteen, isn’t it?’

Olivia hesitated. ‘No,’ she said reluctantly. ‘Actually it’s 21B Lancey Terrace. As Jeremy wasn’t here, I thought it was better to establish my own base. I’ve found this terrific bedsit. Cheap too. I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been.’ She paused, aware of the over-brightness in her tone.

‘Well,’ Beth said, after a pause of her own, ‘just as long as you’re OK. Let me know how the job-hunting goes.’

‘I will. Bless you.’ Olivia switched off the phone and put it down beside her on the sofa, homesickness washing over her like a tidal wave. She’d planned to call her parents, but wasn’t sure she could manage it without bursting into tears and worrying them both to death. Better to wait until she had some good news for them, she thought. Something that would lift her own spirits too.

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