‘Huh. I’m not sure anyone is coming, and to think we had to forego our night of romance yesterday evening,’ she complained, pouting just a touch, then adding, ‘But I’m glad you understood that we had to see Petros.’Alexis smiled and admitted, ‘Last night was not a good night for romance, after all. You’re looking tired and I think it’s time we took the doctor’s advice and let you rest. However, while we’re on the subject of romance maybe you’d enlighten me about Peter. Who is he and why do you have to phone him?’Carrie nodded her head and forced a smile; so, there was some kind of interest in Peter. If only he would try and care for her feelings, maybe she could give her love imconditionally. Love} Was that a word she would associate with Alexis? She looked across at him.‘I told you. Peter is someone I love. He won’t cause problems with this arrangement we have, but don’t expect me to stop loving him, because I can’t!’ There, let him think on that for a while.He held out his hand

Nina looked shocked. Maria and Garry; they weren’t a match. Never in this world!‘Maria, don’t do anything in haste. I wish I hadn’t.’‘You do?’‘If I hadn’t been quite so eager, maybe Stephan would have held me in greater esteem. Now he thinks I’m a trollop.’‘A trollop. Really? Why, Nina? You’re one of the most sensible girls I know. I wish I could be more like you.’ Maria pondered over Nina’s words, then added, ‘Why did you sleep with him then?’What was the use in lying. When the heart is involved it seems a futile exercise. ‘Because I love him,’ She reached for a peppermint from the goldleafed dish on the onyx coffee table. ‘You do crazy things when you’re in love. You agree to stupid conditions just to be with someone.’‘Wow! I guess I’ve never been in love.’‘Who’s never been in love?’ The small figure loomed out of the darkened shadows of the lower deck.‘Petros!’ Maria went to him and kissed him soundly on both cheeks. ‘Am I glad you’re here!’Petros sat down and patted the s

'Use the credit cards, Carrie! Your money won’t last forever!’Carrie was saved from making a reply when a sharp knock came on the door and their drinks were placed on the desk in front of them. She looked at Alexis’s brandy sour, the tall frosted glass with the sugarrimmed top, and wished for her own.‘May I taste your drink?’ She took Alexis’s glass, sipping the contents. Divine recall; she closed her eyes, for the taste brought back memories of a holiday in Cyprus with her parents. Her mother had been drinking brandy sours by the dozen, or so it seemed, and every time she looked away Carrie would sip the cool liquid, gasp and pull a face. She could hear her parents giggle as they watched her face, as sour as the brandy drink itself.‘I don’t mind sharing, but why not just order one?’ asked Alexis as she handed him the glass with hardly any of the liquid dnmk.She smiled sweetly at him. ‘You know how alcohol affectsme. Besides I wanted orange. It just reminds me of Cyprus, of the la

'Ouch, Alexis!’‘Don’t look so hurt, Maria. It could be worse. I could take you across my knee in a tavema full of people.’‘Alexis, you wouldn’t! Besides, I’m too old for that!’‘You think so? Papa wouldn’t think so if he were here and you know it. So think again, Maria. Now tell me why did you lie to Mama} Why did you make out that Garry was a friend of mine? And where the hell did you pick him up?’Maria looked up at her brother. She’d like to say ‘/ know your game, Alexis', but she couldn’t. Besides, she was having way too much fun with Garry, and she wasn’t about to drop Nina in it. Instead she went along with the gameplan. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done it. Mama wanted to know who he was. If I’d told her he was an out-of-work lecturer she’d have gone spare.’‘Gone spare?’‘Yep. You know, loopy' Maria shook her head. ‘You think he’s not right for me, huh?’Alexis spared a look for Garry who was pretending to be drunk again. 'Mama thinks he wants to get you into bed. I’m wonder

‘He does not, he loves me!’‘And as for running half-naked aroimd his room, he must be getting slack. He always makes sure the woman he’s making love to is completely naked!’With that she slammed the receiver down. Damn the woman!Picking up the receiver she phoned Peter; she needed comfort from that gentle little voice that would tell her he loved her, simply because he did.‘Hello, Audrey, how are you?’ she said, making herself more comfortable, with her legs stretched out on the sofa.‘Oh Carrie, he’s been ever so poorly,’ cried Audrey.‘What? Peter has been ill? He’s still in bed?’ Carrie frowned.She listened to how Peter had been ill with a severe bout of bronchitis, and was still suffering the aftereffects. He’d been camping with his dad, had been caught out in the rain last weekend and got wet through.‘Look, Audrey, 1*11 try and sort out a holiday for you all. Lord knows you deserve one.’‘If only Graham would accept. You know how proud he is, and we just can’t afford the ai