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.They both deserve it.’‘I’ve heard it’s really good,’ he said, finding his voice again.‘Maybe we should go one day.’‘That would be lovely.’Except they weren’t supposed to be going public with this, but frankly he didn’t care any more what anyone thought, not for himself, although when he left Yoxburgh he didn’t want her hurt by the damage to her reputation.He frowned.He didn’t want to think about leaving, for a whole host of reasons, but suddenly Annie seemed to be at the top of the list.He glanced back at the house, just as the sitting-room light came on.‘Ah.Marnie’s back.I’ll talk to you soon.’‘OK.You take care.’‘You, too.Sleep well.’He hung up, got to his feet and walked quietly back to the house.He found Marnie in the kitchen, putting the kettle on.‘Hi.How was it?’‘Oh, lovely! It was so nice to see her again—she’s a lovely woman, I’d forgotten just how nice she is.And she thinks you’re fabulous, by the way.’He gave a wry smile.‘Does she, now?’‘Yes, she does, and I don’t think she’s alone.’ Her smile faded and she searched his eyes.‘Don’t hurt her, Edward.I know you don’t mean to, but as long as you’re still running from this thing, anyone that gets in the way is in danger of getting trampled.’‘I won’t hurt her.She’s not looking for permanence, Marnie.We’re just having a bit of adult fun.’She arched a slender brow at him in the way she had when he’d lied to her as a toddler, and he closed his eyes.‘Oh, come on, Marnie, we’re all adults.I’m allowed a sex life.’‘Of course you are, darling.You’re also allowed to be happy.’He swallowed hard.‘I am happy.’‘Are you? I don’t think so.I think you’d like to be, and I think Annie’s got the ability to make you very happy, but I’m very afraid you won’t let it happen.’He turned away, not prepared to discuss this with her, or anyone else, for that matter.Not even himself.‘Grumps is settled now.His breathing’s a bit rough.I think he might have a chest infection.’‘Antibiotics?’It wasn’t a simple question, and it didn’t have a simple answer.He turned back, propping himself against the edge of the kitchen counter.‘I don’t know.What do you think?’Marnie shrugged her shoulders.They were getting thinner with the strain and worry.‘I don’t know either.Will you stay the night? Keep an eye on him?’‘Of course I will.I’m not working tomorrow.’He hugged her, feeling how frail she was getting, how drained by it all.‘I’m glad you had a nice time with Jo.’‘So am I.Oh, Ed, what will I do without you?’ she said in a small voice that broke his heart.‘You aren’t without me.’‘Not now, I’m not, but we all know you’re not staying.’ She eased away from him and turned back to the kettle, made two mugs of tea and handed him one.‘Here.Come and sit down and let me tell you all about the food.It was amazing.’* * *There was drama at work the next morning.James was supposed to be working, but there was no sign of him, and at nine he stuck his head in and told them that his wife Connie was in labour.‘Sorry, guys, got to bail on you, and I’m supposed to be on over the weekend, too.I don’t suppose there’s any way you could cover me, Andy, could you?’Andy sighed sharply and shook his head.‘Oh, James, I would, but it’s Daniel’s birthday and we’re having a family day out to the zoo.I can do Sunday—Annie, any chance you could do tomorrow?’‘No, she can’t, you’re away, aren’t you?’ James said.She shrugged.‘I’m meant to be.It’s my uncle’s sixtieth and my mother and grandmother are going as well.To be honest, I’m not bothered, but it relies on my mother being prepared to take the girls away on her own.’ She flapped a hand at him.‘I’ll ask her.I’m sure it’ll be fine.James, leave it with us.Connie needs you, and this is your first baby.You go back to your wife and forget about us.We’ll sort it.’‘Sure?’‘Sure.Go.’He hugged her, slapped Andy on the back and ran.‘OK.So how are we going to sort it?’ Andy asked, propping himself up against the wall and smiling at her wryly.‘Got a locum up your sleeve?’Annie rolled her eyes and laughed.‘No, I’ve got a mother who’s a saint.It’s fine.I’ll spend the rest of the weekend cleaning the house from end to end and weeding the garden to make up for it.You do Sunday, and I’ll do tomorrow.Deal?’‘Deal.Right, go and get coffee and ring your mother while it’s quiet
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