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nice person, she thought, studying him. In fact, she had considered him to be very good-looking until Michael Rodgers walked into the shop. Michael ’ s looks were much more flamboyant.
    During the morning she heard Elizabeth ringing home and telling her mother to expect Michael for dinner. Catherine suddenly felt rather less tired. There would be six for dinner that evening. She didn ’ t know why that pleased her, but she thought it might be rather interesting. She wondered what Michael Rodgers would be like as a person away from the atmosphere of Sheridan and Rodgers.
    That evening Catherine changed out of her plain everyday dress into a softly feminine one in a shade of blue which made her eyes look like the brightest sapphires. She brushed up her dark hair into curls on her small head, and clipped on her lovely pearl brooch.
    She was beginning to look better, she thought, studying her own reflection in the full-length mirror in her room. There was fresh colour in her cheeks, and her eyes looked brighter now that the dull lifeless feeling was beginning to lift from her heart.
    Obviously Elizabeth thought so, too, because she paused for a moment at the top of the stairs as Catherine came out of her room, and looked at the other girl appraisingly.
    ‘ You must have made a special effort tonight, Catherine, ’ she said lightly, though there was a slightly jagged note in the words.
    She herself was very smart in a turquoise trouser suit, which looked perfect on her slim boyish figure and contrasted with the red glow of her hair.
    ‘ I haven ’ t your flair, Elizabeth, ’ Catherine returned honestly, and for a moment the other girl ’ s eyes softened, and she took Catherine ’ s arm as they walked downstairs.
    ‘ Do you still miss your fiancé ? ’ she asked, and felt Catherine stiffen a little. Time was healing, but now and again a jarring note would bring it all back to her.
    ‘ Yes, I do, ’ she said briefly, and the other girl gave her arm a small squeeze.
    ‘ Don ’ t let anyone catch you on the rebound, ’ she advised. ‘ One can do foolish things out of ... loneliness, perhaps...’
    ‘ I hardly think there ’ s any fear of that, ’ Catherine told her, with a rueful smile. ‘ Have you and Michael been engaged long, Elizabeth? Are you being married soon? ’
    This time Elizabeth became rather more withdrawn.
    ‘ We ’ ve been engaged for over a year, ’ she said flatly. ‘ Michael has commitments which will have to be resolved before we fix the wedding date. ’
    ‘ Oh, ’ said Catherine. She felt as though she had been treading on private ground, and it was obvious that Elizabeth had no wish to discuss anything further with her. She crossed to the lounge and threw open the door where James Sheridan seemed to be arguing with his son and Michael. All three men stood up briefly, and again Catherine felt uncomfortable. She could see the small, rather twisted smile on John ’ s face, while Michael looked very cool and remote. Uncle James ’ s colour was rather high, but he forced a smile when he saw the two girls.
    ‘ Oh, hello, you two. Is it time, then? ’
    ‘ Yes, come along, all of you, ’ said Aunt Lucille, coming into the room behind them. ‘ We ’ re all ready to begin. ’
    Michael had taken Elizabeth ’ s arm, but his eyes lingered on Catherine and she was again fully aware of his attraction, as John came over and took her arm, grinning down at her.
    ‘ Someone looks lovely tonight, ’ he told her admiringly, and she felt her cheeks colour. As John walked beside her, she was aware of his rather quick breathing, and a glance confirmed her suspicions. In spite of his friendly greeting, and his smile, John was seething with anger, and she could sense the power in him which made even Michael seem less striking. What had been said to make him so annoyed? she wondered. She suspected more and more that all was not well in the relationship between the three men.
    Could Michael be