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without her knowledge, but her feeling of outrage had been for Katy. If it was true that this German tycoon was ‘mixing business with pleasure’ as he had put it, then she wanted to be sure the pleasure was Katy’s, too. One thing she would not do was stand by and see her grand-daughter used as collateral for Sandersons. Katy was too precious for that – her happiness too important.
    â€˜I won’t stand by and see Katy used,’ she said quietly.
    It was David’s turn to look angry now. ‘And you think I would?’
    Elise met his gaze squarely, ‘I don’t know, David; I hope not. But I know how much the success of his business can mean to a man.’
    â€˜More than his daughter’s happiness?’ David asked coldly.
    â€˜Sometimes. And sometimes, if you want a thing sufficiently badly, you see only what you wish to see.’ Elise sat forward in her chair, desperately anxious to make him as aware as she was of the danger. ‘Katy adores you, David,’ she said. ‘ She always has; she would do anything in the world to please you. You know that as well as I do. Please be very sure you don’t take advantage of it.’
    For a moment David sat awkwardly beneath her penetrating gaze, then he rose abruptly and crossed to the drinks cabinet.
    â€˜I think I could use a shot of something after all,’ he said with mock cheerfulness. ‘Another, Alex?’
    â€˜Yes please.’ Alex pushed his tumbler across the table and turned to Elise. ‘You’re being ridiculous, Mother, don’t you realise that?’
    â€˜I hope so,’ Elise said quietly.
    â€˜Melodramatic! Now I know where Paul gets his notions of being an actor – straight from you!’
    â€˜This isn’t a game,’ Elise said. ‘I promise you, Alex, I was never more serious in my life. If I should discover that Katy is part of a deal, and that by voting against it I can prevent her from becoming involved, then I warn you I shall do it.’
    â€˜Mother, the company …’
    â€˜Don’t talk to me about the company,’ she said. ‘It’s my world as much as it is yours. But it must never be allowed to become the master rather than the servant. There are some lines which have to be drawn.’
    â€˜And we draw them.’ Now it was Alex’s turn to lose his temper. ‘For God’s sake. Mother, what do you think we are? Do you really suppose I would sell my niece, or David his daughter, like some whore? This is 1983 and whatever Katrina does, she does because she wants it that way. Surely you know that?’
    There was silence in the room. From somewhere on the other side of the door Elise could hear the clacking of a typewriter, restoring a sense of normality. After a moment she nodded, gathering up her bag and rising to her feet.
    â€˜Thank you for taking me into your confidence at last, gentlemen,’ she said with ironic formality. ‘ I hope that from now on you will do me the courtesy of keeping me informed of developments. I don’t like being treated like an imbecile child – particularly since I was involved with the company before you were born, Alex, and while you, David, were barely toddling. As to the other matter, I’m going to see Katy now. And all I can say is that I hope you are right and I am wrong. Otherwise, I promise you, you will have to fight me – all the way.’
    Neither man replied. Both, without admitting it, felt guilty that Elise should have stumbled upon what was happening in this way; both were stunned by the vehemence of her attack. Tucked away in the Cotswolds, looking after the gentler side of the business, she had allowed them to forget what a tigress she could be when aroused.
    As she left the office, an almost identical thought occurred to Elise. I had forgotten the feeling of power, she thought, forgotten the excitement of the deal that can make or break a company. And