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bluntly, `I don't want you paying for my breakfast.' And, ramming the money into her hand, `Bring receipts,' he snarled, and, plainly fed up with her, left her standing there.

    Varnie wondered if she would last the day without thumping him. Never had she met such a man. He could starve as far as she was concerned. But again her mutiny was squashed by thoughts of her dear-though not so dear at the moment brother.

    She knew then that she would do all she could not to, as it were, rock the boat for Johnny. She would, because he loved his job so well, and for once seemed settled in a career, try to put in a good word for him whenever she could. She would do a good job on his behalf too, as long as it lasted. She hoped it would not be for long. She looked at the money in her hands. Oh, grief, there was enough there to keep them in supplies for a month.

    She felt better when common sense stirred to make her feel sure he had no intention of being away from his business for that long. She determined, however, that she would ask Beaumont just how long he was staying at her first opportunity.

    Hoping that it would not be longer than for just a few days, she went upstairs to take a shower-it wouldn't hurt him to wait a little longer for his breakfast.

    She heard him on the phone in her grandfather's study as she went by on her way out to her car. Darned cheek! Though, in fairness, she supposed that since he was probably expecting to pay rent for this hideaway accommodation That his assistant had `found' for him, Beaumont assumed he was renting the whole house-and that included the study.

    Varnie bought sufficient supplies to last a week, and took her purchases back to her car. She was loading up the boot while musing that licr grandfather's fridge- freezer would come in handy, when someone called her name.

    She straightened up. `Varnie Sutton!' exclaimed the wiry, fair-haired man standing there, a broad smile on his face.

    `Russell Adams!' She smiled in return.

    He caught a hold of her arms and bent and kissed her cheek. She had always liked Russell. He and his parents lived about a mile from Aldwyn House. He was the same age as Johnny, and they had spent some splendid childhood times together. Then he and Johnny had gone to university-Johnny had dropped out after a year-and they had seen less of Russell. She guessed it must be five years since she had last seen him.

    `I heard about your grandfather,' Russell remarked. 'I'm sorry I couldn't come to his funeral to pay my respects. Working away,' he explained, but added quickly, `Have you time for a coffee? We could catch up. Is Johnny with you?" 'I really should...' Get back, she would have said, only she suddenly felt quite happy to think of Beaumont back at Aldwyn House, waiting for his breakfast. `Of course I've time,' she said brightly.

    And over coffee she learned that Russell was now a qualified civil engineer whose work took him all over the place. He now lived in Caernarvon, but was here visiting his parents for a day or two. In the space of fifteen minutes Varnie learned that Russell was unmarried, but had once 'come close,' and that there was no one else he was interested in. Russell liked his job well enough, but sometimes fancied working at something different.

    `How's Johnny doing'? I expect he's married and settled down?"

    'He's still single,' Varnie replied, hoping that he was settled, and realizing that perhaps she would make more of an effort on his behalf. Perhaps try to get Leon Beaumont to see what a good assistant he had in her brother. Which reminded her- she'd better head back. This was no way to make sure Johnny kept his job. She had to be the best 'skivvy' going-this skivvy that Johnny had organized.

    `And how about you?' Russell asked. `Still breaking hearts, Varnie? Or do you have someone special in your life?'

    Still breaking hearts? She was sure she never had. Though as she thought about someone special in her life it was Leon Beaumont and his