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giggled, ‘I don’t feel cold now. In fact I really am wide awake.’
    ‘That’s what the fresh morning air does for you,’ Andrew said. ‘You should try it more often; it’s good for you. It’s also good for your complexion. Sitting around all day in a warm house will do you no favours. You’ll end up with a huge bottom and a sallow skin.’
    Charlotte turned her head to the window so he wouldn’t see her smile. ‘That could have its advantages, my dear brother. If I had a big bottom and horrible skin, you wouldn’t be so eager to have your staff meet me. That would really give them something to talk about. Just think, they’d be whispering behind your back that they feel sorry for you. You so handsome, and your sister fat and ugly.’
    ‘That’s more like it,’ Andrew said, chortling. ‘You sound more like my sister now. My hopes are high again that a very pleasant morning is in store for everyone. Especially our father. He will be so pleased.’
    Charlotte took her brother’s arm as they left the car and headed for Castle Street. ‘Oh, it is busy here, isn’t it? And everyone seems to be in a hurry.’
    ‘A lot of firms have offices in this area of the city.’ Andrew felt good walking with his sister. And in the back of his mind he was thinking what a pleasant surprise it would be for hisfather when Charlotte walked into his office for the first time. ‘A lot of the people you see have already been into work, and are now delivering letters or messages to customers of theirs. It is quicker to deliver post by hand if the contents are important. I love the bustle. It keeps my adrenalin flowing.’ They were nearing the offices of Wilkie-Brook’s now, and Andrew told himself it was ridiculous for his heartbeat to quicken simply because Charlotte was seeing for the first time the place where their father had worked for many years to build up a thriving business. ‘Here we are, my dear sister. Are you ready for my staff to give you the once-over?’
    ‘Of course I am! They can’t eat me!’ But that was nervous bravado, and Charlotte quickly added, ‘You won’t leave me alone, will you?’
    ‘I promise I won’t let you out of my sight. But I only have three staff, so I’m sure you can cope with that. And they’ll be so happy to meet you, you’ll find yourself relaxed in no time. And enjoying yourself, I hope.’
    ‘Do you think Father will be pleasantly surprised, or will he think we should have told him yesterday?’
    ‘He will be delighted, I promise you. He’ll make a big fuss over you, you’ll see. And I couldn’t tell him yesterday, for I wasn’t sure whether you would back out when the time came.’ Andrew turned her to face the steps. ‘Don’t look so apprehensive, dear. One would think you were walking towards the gallows. Take a deep breath, put a huge smile on that beautiful face of yours, and off we go.’
    Wendy Stamford raised her brows in surprise when Andrew walked in with a young lady hanging on to his arm. Fancy him not mentioning he had a girlfriend, she thought. But the reflection was fleeting, and a smile soon appeared on her face. ‘Good morning, Mr Andrew.’
    ‘Good morning, Mrs Stamford.’ Andrew withdrew his arm from his sister’s. ‘I would very much like you to meet my young sister, Charlotte. She’s come to see where I spend my time and energy.’
    Wendy laid down the morning’s unopened post. ‘Oh, how nice to meet you! We’ve heard so much about you from Mr Andrew, it’s lovely to see you in person.’ Her warm smile and hearty handshake melted Charlotte’s shyness, and the girl’s face lit up.
    ‘I hope my brother told you only the good things about me? If he didn’t, then in my own defence I have to say you must not believe half he told you.’
    ‘To hear him talk, Miss Charlotte, you are not only very pretty, but also kind, caring, funny, and the best sister in the world.’
    ‘Good grief, I find myself blushing. But we do get on very well,