male friends after work Emily had thoroughly enjoyed the evenings with no dinner to cook and the television firmly turned off. Early to bed with a book had meant she was always asleep, or pretending to be, by the time Miles came home.
When it had become obvious that a good night’s sleep was infinitely preferable to the lovemaking she’d found so disappointing with Miles, Emily had known it was time to move on. Deciding to tell him straight away, she’d waited up until he got home from one of his men-only evenings. And discovered why Miles had always been so meticulous about showering before sharing their bed. He’d reeked of musky, alien perfume and other scents Emily had identified with furious distaste.
The phone rang, bringing her back to the present with a bump. She tensed, eyeing the phone belligerently, but this time the message was from Lucas Tennent.
Emily seized the receiver. ‘I’m here,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Is something wrong? How do you feel?’
‘Not marvellous, but thanks to you, Miss Warner, there’s an outside chance I’ll live. Now I can string two words together without barking like a hound, I’m ringing to thank you.’
‘Only too happy to help,’ she assured him, eyebrows raised at the change in his attitude.
‘I heated the soup, as per your instructions,’ he went on. ‘And even cut some bread, but I was too damn feeble to wrestle with the coffee machine so I made some tea. I didn’t know I had any tea—’
‘I bought it for you.’
‘Then I owe you, Miss Warner.’
‘You can pay me tomorrow, Mr Tennent. Is there anything else you need?’
‘Just a morning paper as you come in, if you would. How do you get here?’
‘I walk.’
‘Where do you live?’
‘Spitalfields. Would you like me to make lunch for you?’
‘Don’t bother about that. Just the sound of a human voice will do. Wallowing alone with my bug soon lost its appeal.’
Emily frowned. ‘The Donaldsons are away, of course, but surely you have other friends who could call round?’
‘The two most likely succumbed to the bug before I did—’ He broke off to cough, and Emily waited until he was quiet before asking if there was anything else he needed.
‘I can get it on my way in, Mr Tennent.’
‘Call me Lucas.’
‘Not suitable,’ she said firmly.
‘Why the hell not?’
‘For obvious reasons.’
‘If you mean because you work for me, that’s rubbish,’ he said with scorn. ‘According to the great and good we live in a classless society these days.’
‘It’s nothing to do with class,’ she said indignantly.
‘You said choice of name was up to me,’ he reminded her.
‘I meant my name—’ She stopped, wondering why she was making a fuss. ‘Oh, all right, whatever you say.’
‘Bravo. Now I can go happy to bed.’
‘You should be in bed right now.’
‘I was speaking figuratively. Apart from staggering out to the kitchen to make my supper, I haven’t left my bed all day.’ He coughed again. ‘I trust you feel suitably sympathetic?’
‘Of course I do. I was a fellow sufferer not so long ago, remember. Goodnight. I hope you sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.’
Emily had barely put the phone down when it rang again.
‘At last, darling,’ said Claire Warner. ‘I’ve been trying to get you for the past ten minutes.’
‘Hi, Mother. What’s wrong?’
‘Miles rang here half an hour ago, demanding your address.’
‘No!’ Emily groaned. ‘You didn’t tell him?’
‘Of course not,’ said her mother scornfully. ‘I didn’t even speak to him. Your father answered the phone and wiped the floor with him; told him to leave you alone.’
‘Way to go, Dad,’ crowed Emily, then sobered. ‘Actually, Miles left a message here just now, too. He’s got hold of my new number somehow.’
‘Oh, Emily. Have you given it to someone he knows?’
‘Only Ginny. But she wouldn’t tell him.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t. How is she?’
‘Fine. We had our usual little jolly together yesterday. Though she spent most of it lecturing me.’ Emily explained about Lucas Tennent’s flu.
Because Claire Warner failed to see why her daughter had to do the man’s cleaning in the first place, let alone look after him now he was ill, she expressed wholehearted agreement with Ginny. ‘For heaven’s sake, child. It’s not all that long since you were down with flu yourself. Amongst other things.’
‘Temper, mainly.’
‘You’re certainly well shot of Miles Denny. I hope Nat hasn’t put your name on his door!’
‘Of course he hasn’t. Nat lets me know if my presence is required when he’s around, and Ginny rings me as she’s coming down the street and I go down and let her in.’
‘Terribly cloak and dagger—like living in a safe house.’
‘Nat’s house is safe.’
‘You know what I mean!’
‘You read too many crime novels, Mother. I just needed a place in London to get myself together for a bit. And Nat has provided it. I’m very grateful to him.’
‘Darling,’ said her mother, after a pause. ‘Nat’s a charming man, but—’
‘Oh, Mother! Nat is Andrew’s friend, not mine at all, really. And he’s married to Thea and father to the twins. What on earth do you take me for?’
‘At the moment, a very vulnerable girl,’ said Claire Warner bluntly.
‘I’ve learned my lesson, believe me.’
‘No more men, you mean?’
‘Certainly not. I’m off Miles, Mother dear, not men in general.’
But afterwards Emily felt deeply uneasy. If Miles had her phone number maybe he could track down her address, too—even have it already. Though if he was brass-faced enough to turn up in person he’d have to get past Nat, and possibly Mark as well, to get hold of her.
Emily
