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life that would ever require such an expensive ensemble as the dove-grey suit.
    There were green Italian sandals with slender straps and spiked heels. Two pairs of plaited slides. Low-heeled casuals in black and toffee. Smart leather courts to match the suit exactly. Plainly Julia had had taste as well as money. Ellie was almost willing to swallow her pride to possess such beautiful things.
    “Take them away for me and have a proper try-on,” Ginny encouraged. “If they don’t fit you, or you don’t like them, it doesn’t matter one iota. But I need to get the room cleared out for Robbie’s parents’ Christmas visit. The girls will never know which are your clothes and which were to be Julia’s.” She snipped a swing-tag off the suit and handed the hanger to Ellie. “And Robbie hasn’t shared this room for quite some time. He wouldn’t have a clue...” Her voice was cool.
    Ellie’s radar pinged to full alert. How many times had she detected unwelcome situations at school from the tiniest comment...the slightest change in tone? Too many to remember, that was for sure.
    Plenty of money, the grandest of houses, and the most desirable husband in the world had apparently not guaranteed everlasting happiness for Ginny’s daughter.
    Her curiosity was intensely aroused by the comment about Robbie not sharing the room. It sounded like they’d become estranged and he’d moved out prior to Julia falling ill. Ellie burned with questions, but couldn’t possibly ask them.
    “Would that green silk be too over-the-top for Saturday?” She was already deeply in love with it.
    “Ideal,” said Ginny. “It’s good to dress up now and then. You’ll see everything from denim to sequins I expect.”
    Ellie carried her booty away, wondering when she’d ever have the opportunity to wear more of it. Not that she wanted to look pretty for Tony, of course. She’d be pleasantly polite, friendly but a little distant—certainly not encouraging. She’d never needed to be on her guard as much as now.
    xxx
    The sun sank below the horizon and the light faded further. Tony reached back and snapped on the wall sconces so soft radiance bathed the gracious old sitting room.
    Ellie set her coffee cup onto the tray and rose. “I’ll be off upstairs,” she said. “I want to do some preparation for tomorrow, seeing my day has been rearranged.” She sent him an exasperated glance and then looked quickly away.
    “Goodnight then, dear,” Ginny said.
    “I can’t begin to thank you for the clothes and shoes.”
    “It was time they found a home.”
    Ellie sighed. “It was very generous of you. They’re beautiful.”
    “Just like you will be on Saturday night.”
    Tony’s eyes followed her as she left the room. “What did you find for her?”
    “An emerald green dress. Lovely with her dark hair.” Ginny put her cup down on a small side-table. “I’ll just make sure the girls are ready for bed,” she added, rising from her favourite armchair.
    He nodded slowly, picturing Ellie in a green dress. Seeing his hands pushing the fabric away from her skin. Watching his fingers caress her. Imagining her reaction.
    There’d be initial outrage as he began to re-stake his claim on her.
    Then confused acquiescence as their old chemistry started to kick in.
    And finally the fierce and helpless passion that overtook her as she lost her inhibitions and responded fully to him.
    Fat chance , he thought glumly.
    She still had the invisible wall up between them. He wanted to break it down. He’d not so far prised open the tiniest chink, either when he’d carried her from the muddy bog, or this evening over dinner. But once they were alone together it might be a different matter.
    He waited five minutes, gathered his and Ginny’s coffee cups, and carried the tray to the kitchen before walking up the stairs, deep in thought.
    It was a hot and humid night. Distant thunder rolled in the mountains to the west. Occasional flashes of far-off