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Elise’s elbow. ‘Have you seen anything of her?’
    â€˜Not a great deal,’ Elise confessed. She sipped the wine and was pleasantly surprised at its light, fruity flavour and the semi-sparkle that tickled on her tongue. ‘You know how it is with your mother, Katy. Horses, horses, horses!’
    â€˜Yes, it’s not surprising I’m an only child, is it?’ Katy observed. ‘I’m amazed she found the time to have me. They talk about theatrical babies being born in a trunk in a dressing-room – with me, it was a loose-box, wasn’t it, with a vet in attendance!’
    Elise laughed. I laugh more in the few hours I spend with Katy than during all the rest of my time put together, she thought.
    â€˜Mummy and her horses!’ Katy went on. ‘Do you remember how she used to rub embrocation on me every time I had a tumble? I must have reeked to high heaven! But the really awful thing was knowing I was disappointing her because I couldn’t be as interested in it all as she wanted me to be. I mean, it’s really nice to take a pony out through the woods on a good day. But not in all winds and weathers! And as for those awful horse shows and gymkhanas …’ She broke off, subdued momentarily by the memory of summer afternoons of torture, trying to win the cups and ribbons she knew were expected of her.
    â€˜Katy …’ Elise hesitated, wondering how to bring the conversation around to the subject that was hovering over her consciousness, but her granddaughter appeared oblivious.
    â€˜How long can you stay, Granny?’ she asked, her usual sparkle returning. ‘ You can have my bed for the night, if you like, and I’ll sleep on the sofa. That would save you driving home again the same day.’
    â€˜It’s sweet of you, Katy – but no, I ought to get back tonight,’ Elise told her. ‘And in any case, there’s Evans to think of. I asked him to come back in an hour.’
    â€˜An hour? Is that all? Oh, I’m sure he could have amused himself for much longer than that! Which reminds me – how is that dishy new gardener of yours – what’s his name? – Richardson?’
    Elise smiled. ‘He’s fine, though I must say the number of young ladies picnicking in our woods or taking strolls through the home meadows has noticeably increased. It will be a good thing when the weather cools down and he puts his shirt on again, if you ask me.’
    â€˜Oh Granny, you wouldn’t tell him so, would you?’
    â€˜Of course not.’ Elise hesitated, then continued smoothly, ‘Talking of dishy young men, I’m anxious to hear all about your new escort.’
    â€˜Oh – you mean Gunther.’
    Was it her imagination, wondered Elise, or had some of the sparkle died in Katy’s eyes?
    â€˜Yes, Gunther! You’ve been seeing a great deal of him, haven’t you?’
    â€˜Have I? Yes, I suppose I have.’
    â€˜So tell me about him.’ Elise sipped her wine, but above the rim of the glass her eyes were sharp and watchful.
    â€˜Well, he’s doing some kind of deal with Daddy and Uncle Alex. I daresay you’ll get to hear all about it sooner or later. And he’s been taking me out – clubs, theatres, all the social bit – you know!’
    â€˜I see. It’s very casual, is it?’ Elise asked, catching the hesitation before Katy replied.
    â€˜Well … yes.’
    â€˜When you said he was picking you up this evening, it sounded a little more serious,’ Elise pressed her.
    â€˜Did it? Weil, maybe it is.’ Again the hesitation and this time Elise was sure that Katy’s sparkle had dimmed.
    â€˜He’s really very nice, you know. Granny. I’m very fond of him. And he certainly knows how to treat a woman.’
    I’m sure he does, thought Elise. If he has not learned that by his age, then he never will!
    Aloud she said, ‘He’s