‘How on earth do you know?’ She was losing patience, Kay thought irritably, she really was. ‘You’ve met the man for a few minutes, that’s all. He could be a serial killer or died-in-the-wool bigamist or whatever—’
‘Now you’re being silly,’ Leonora interrupted with another sniff.
‘Mum, at the risk of destroying your illusions about the white knight on a charger you’ve apparently decided he is, the man is interested in one thing and one thing only,’ Kay said vehemently. ‘And as he’s not going to get it from me this is going to be a short and probably unpleasant evening. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?’
‘Oh, Kay.’ Leonora walked across to take her hands, looking into her daughter’s troubled face as she said, ‘I just want you to be happy, that’s all. You’ve had such a rough deal the last few years and a man like Mitch—rich, successful—’
‘Single,’ Kay put in mockingly.
‘Yes, and single.’ Leonora wasn’t about to be put off by her daughter’s sarcasm. ‘A man like that only comes along once in a blue moon. Give him a chance, that’s all I’m saying. See how it goes. Have some fun.’
‘What is it about me that everyone wants me to have fun suddenly?’ Kay smiled at her mother, her face rueful. ‘Look, Mitchell Grey is just a ship that passes in the night, and by the end of this evening the term will be passed, I assure you. We have got absolutely nothing in common, for a start. He’s rich, successful and single as you’ve just pointed out; we watch the pennies and come as a package or not at all. Not exactly the sort of bargain a man in Mitchell’s position wants to strike. He could have his pick of any woman.’
‘It’s you he’s asked out tonight,’ Leonora pointed out swiftly.
‘Maybe, but not in the way you think. More to prove a point after the episode at lunch.’
‘Ah, but he asked you out to lunch, though, didn’t he, in the first place?’ It was triumphant. ‘That must mean he’s interested.’
‘Don’t hold your breath, Mum, that’s all I’m saying, besides which I don’t want a man. I’m perfectly contented with my life as it is.’
Leonora let go of Kay’s hands without saying anything more but another eloquent sniff spoke for her.
‘I’ll leave my mobile on so you can contact me if you need me,’ Kay said, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece, which said five to eight. ‘And if Emily starts coughing again her linctus is on the bedside cabinet. And no juice, if they ask for a drink—only water. I don’t want sugar coating their teeth all night.’
‘For goodness’ sake just go and enjoy yourself, Kay,’ Leonora snapped irritably. ‘I’m more than capable of babysitting for one evening without you around, I do it often enough if you have to work a late delivery. You are supposed to have a life beyond that of mother to the twins, you know, dear as they are. You’re young, you’ve still got your whole life in front of you. Stop acting as though you were my age.’
‘Mum!’ Kay was truly shocked and hurt and it showed.
Immediately Leonora retraced her steps, putting her arms round the younger woman and hugging Kay for a moment as she said, ‘I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, darling, really. I’m only thinking of you. You’re a wonderful mother and daughter, the best there is, but it’s time to put the past behind you.’
‘I have,’ Kay said firmly.
‘I wish I could believe that.’ Leonora had spoken pensively but then, as a knock on the front door announced Mitchell’s arrival, the older woman started violently. ‘He’s here!’
Kay was amused to see there was something bordering on panic in her mother’s face as she’d spoken, and it went some way to combating the butterflies in her own stomach. She breathed d
eeply before walking across the room and opening the door, and then her stomach turned right over as she looked into the dark face staring down at her. He looked sensational. The business suit had been replaced by a chunky black leather jacket and black jeans, which accentuated the brooding quality to his good looks even more, and she noticed he had shaved again, the five o’clock shadow that had been evident earlier having vanished. For some reason the thought of him shaving because he was going to see her was so intimate it made her shiver—which only showed how dangerous it was to be around him, she warned herself silently.
‘Hi.’ He brought a big bunch of pale peach roses and freesias out from behind his back. ‘These are for your mother.’
‘Oh, right.’ She was taken aback and it showed. He laughed softly, the silver eyes brilliant with mocking humour, and then she flushed pink as he delved in his pocket and produced a small transparent box in which reposed one delicate, beautiful white orchid.
‘And this is for you,’ he murmured, placing the box in her hands.
‘Thank you,’ she said uneasily. She didn’t want him buying her anything. ‘Come in for a moment while I get my coat.’
She left her mother gushing over the roses while she slipped upstairs for her jacket and took the opportunity to fix the dainty corsage on her jumper in front of the bedroom mirror, rather than give Mitchell the opportunity to suggest he do it for her. It had the most exquisite perfume, something resembling magnolia but slightly more exotic, and the smell was wafting under her nose as she went downstairs again.
Her mother and Mitchell were laughing about something or other as Kay descended, the atmosphere between them relaxed and friendly, and for a moment Kay felt thoroughly put out. It was almost as though he had inveigled his way into her life and home already, and she didn’t like it. This was her refuge, her own tiny castle, but Mitchell seemed able to lower the drawbridge at will.
She smiled a brittle smile as they both turned to look at her, her voice tight as she said, ‘Shall we go?’
‘Sure.’
She noticed him raise his eyebrows at her mother in silent comment at the crispness of her voice but she pretended not to see. However, she did make a mental note to point out to her mother later that she had been right about the jeans. Mitchell was wearing them too. Admittedly his looked to be nothing short of Gucci or Armani, and hers were off the peg from one of the stores, but that wasn’t the point.
‘Where are you going?’