INTIMATE STRANGERS 4

Hand in hand, they wandered back to the car and he helped her in. He drove her home in almost total silence. When they arrived, he leaned over and kissed her again, gently but very thoroughly. ‘Call me when you’re free and we'll do a spot of sightseeing. I only need short notice. Dad is pretty cool about time off.’ Brett worked in the family electrical business and, as with most things, seemed to be very free and easy — about their lives.

As she was getting out of Brett’s car, she noticed a light go on in Kate’s room. Obviously, she had been looking to see who was outside. She turned back and leaned over to plant another kiss on Brett’s cheek. He looked surprised.

‘That one was for Kate’s benefit,’ she chuckled.

She awoke early the next morning and collected the children for breakfast before Ashton himself was ready. The two children sat quietly at the table munching their cereal. Kerrien had put the coffee on and was making toast when Kate came through.

‘Conscience pricking is it