SILK WICKEDNESS 29

When she came back, he was still standing by the window. ‘I’m sorry,' he said. ‘I shouldn’t be here. It’s not your problem.’

‘Oh, Guy.’ On an impulse she went up and put her arms around him. ‘I’m glad you came. I’ve hardly slept either.’

He did not shake her off, as she’d half expected. His body was resistant at first, as if he was afraid that sympathy would make him crack, then slowly his arms came around her in return, and he stroked her hair with fingers that were not quite as steady as they might have been.

‘I feel so bloody helpless.’ His voice was tense with a gritted anger that she knew was only a mask for his fears. ‘I want to go and look for her, but I don’t know where to start.’

What he needed more than anything was to sleep, but it was useless to say so. She’d sound like her mother and he’d probably shake her off with an impatient, How the hell can I sleep?

So what could she do? Distract him, obviously, but how? She detached herself, picked up the phone, dialled room servic