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Anna moved aside as Paul was enfolded in her mother's embrace. That certainly was unexpected! She wasn't sure she liked another woman enjoying Paul's caresses even if the woman
was
her mother, but she shrugged aside her unease. Paul must be an old friend and if meeting him gave Mother the incentive to live, it was well worth 'it.

To Anna's embarrassment, Jennifer lifted her face to be kissed and, after a moment's hesitation, Paul kissed her gently on the lips. Then his eyes met Anna's and they exchanged sad smiles. Even if their romance hadn't been at an end before it must be ended now. For Jennifer's sake they must resume their professional relationship.

Jennifer's eyes darted anxiously from one to the other. 'How did you come to bring Paul, darling?' she asked Anna, her voice querulous. 'He and I were great friends once.'

'I was dashing home and when I saw P . . . Dr Tester's car,' Anna faltered, 'I begged a lift. I thought you unwell,' she went on sternly, and Jennifer lowered her eyes coyly.

'I'm in disgrace, Paul. Tell my little girl not to scold me!'

'I'm afraid I agree with her, Jenny,' Paul said sternly, getting up. 'She has her job to do. Patients rely on their nurses. They are probably short-staffed on children's as it is,' he went on, frowning at Jennifer, who still clutched at his hand.

'I will call and see you again, Jenny, but I'm just on my way to a conference—in Birmingham,' he added, as Jennifer would have detained him further. Ashen-faced, she watched as he and Anna walked out of the room.

Anna could still feel her mother's eyes boring into her back as she let the consultant out. When she began to apologise both for her mother's hysterics and her own panic, Paul brushed the words aside. Then, with a quick glance around to see that they were not overlooked, he swept Anna into his arms, his mouth hot yet curiously comforting upon her own.

For a moment she responded, then her mother's needs blocked out her own. Mother
needed
Paul. Anna did not. Mother had so little and must not be denied Paul's friendship, even if he wasn't keen
on
the idea.

'I want you, Anna,' he murmured, as she made him release her. She shook her head wearily, seeing him at last for what he was.

'You don't want
me,
Paul. You want your lost youth and I can't help you regain that.' Sadly, her eyes met his and she saw the truth there.

Angry spots of colour burned in his cheeks as he moved away, and Anna closed the door softly, feeling that she was closing a chapter of her life.

Jennifer was eager to talk about Paul Tester for days afterwards, telling Anna that he had been her boyfriend before she had even met Anna's father. Even then he had been fond of women, and Jennifer had reluctantly settled for security with a rather humdrum young man—Anna's father.

'Father wasn't humdrum!' Anna protested, and Jennifer smiled.

'No, but I thought he was. So serious! I was a bit flighty at first, I suppose. I was still acting then,' she explained. 'But I settled down once you came along. Your father was the best husband anyone could wish for. He was rather cold, poor dear. That was his only fault,' Jennifer went on, seemingly far away in thought.

'I shouldn't suppose Dr Tester is,' Anna said unthinkingly, and her mother's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

'Do you know him well?' she asked, her eyes on her daughter's face, and Anna cursed herself for mentioning the man.

'No, not well. He was the consultant on Park Ward—Rick Alexandre's boss,' Anna said hurriedly.

'Yes, with that lovely hair, I suppose he
would
notice you,' Jennifer said pensively, settling down and demanding to be left alone as she wished to sleep.

After that, Jennifer did not mention Paul Tester again and she sank back once more into her apathetic state.

Watching her mother's almost lifeless figure one evening after she'd read to her, Anna knew what she must do. Reluctant suitor or not, Paul Tester must be persuaded to visit Mother again.

She hadn't seen Paul since the day he'd given her a lift. He might still be in Birmingham, as she hadn't seen him about the hospital, but it was worth a try.

The consultant's house was ablaze with lights when Anna hesitated outside it the following evening. Well, he was in, but who was he entertaining? If he had a woman friend in, it would be too embarrassing. And suppose he wouldn't come?

In an agony of indecision Anna pressed the bell. She hoped he would answer straight away, otherwise her courage might desert her and she would run.

Only the memory of her mother's sad eyes reminded Anna of her duty. No matter how nasty Paul was, she must stand her ground and beg him to visit.

'Anna
! This
is
a surprise.' Paul Tester's voice was far from welcoming and Anna wished anew that she hadn't come. The old manservant who let her in wore a disapproving expression, and she guessed he was tired of the constant stream of women visiting his master.

They stood in the box-like hall, Paul not even offering her a seat, and Anna twisted her signet-ring nervously. If only he didn't look so angry.

'Well?' he barked, and she jumped.

'Please, Paul—it's Mother. She's ever so down now. Couldn't you just visit her? Only occasionally. It wouldn't be a bother to you, would it?' Anna hurried on, feeling wretched. How she hated to beg!

And the consultant wasn't helping her. He brushed back his hair with an impatient gesture. 'Look, Anna dear, once your mother and I were . . . friends, but that was
years
ago! And she doesn't seem any more mature now than she was then!.' he added, and Anna silently agreed.

'Please, Paul. Please. Just a few minutes once a week—for old times' sake. Only until she begins living again. Your visit cheered her up enormously,' Anna assured him, her green eyes intense, and he capitulated.

'I'll come. Tomorrow, if I can. But right now I have guests and . . .'

Anna nodded quickly. He was obviously entertaining a girlfriend and Anna's presence was an embarrassment. She smiled her thanks, and Paul put out his hand in a gesture of friendship. Then he pulled her towards him when she moved nearer to shake hands.

With a sigh, she leant against his shoulder, his arms about her. It was comforting . . .

'Sorry, chief,' a familiar voice broke up the cosy scene as Rick Alexandre appeared in the doorway. 'I didn't know you were expecting a friend,' his cold eyes raked over Anna, who stood her ground defiantly.

'That's quite all right, Rick,-' Paul said wearily. 'I'll do as you ask, Nurse Curtis. But it won't be easy,' he went on, with a wry smile. Then he turned to the bristling registrar. 'You could drop Nurse Curtis off, couldn't you? She came in a taxi, but they aren't easily come by at this time of night.'

Anna and the consultant waited for Rick's decision.

He shrugged. 'Of course, sir. Anything to oblige.' His tone made it clear that it was his boss he was obliging not Anna, and she felt about an inch high.

Nevertheless, a lift was a lift and it was evident that Paul wasn't going to drive her home. Perhaps he needed to prepare himself for a second meeting with Mother.

'What is St Paul doing for you?' Rick asked sullenly, as his big car purred along. 'You were thanking him most enthusiastically when I butted in!'

'I can't tell you.' Anna felt the consultant would want to keep his former relationship with Jennifer secret. Anyway it wasn't Rick's business. It concerned her mother and Paul Tester, no one else.

Rick grunted and Anna wished she
could
tell him. It wouldn't do any harm, surely? He wasn't a gossip. He would keep the information to himself. Anna sat back, relaxing, all tension ebbing from her. She could trust Rick. She would confide in him once they got home. She would ask him to pop in to see her mother, then she wouldn't wonder where Anna had been so late.

'Here we are. Safe and sound,' Rick announced, and Anna smiled into his eyes.

A stifled groan escaped him, then he sat back and she was left to open the car door herself. 'Will you come in, Rick? Have a coffee? Mother would be . . .'

'Yes, yes, all right,' he snapped, and Anna's temper rose. If he was going to be so mule-headed she wouldn't tell him about Paul Tester and her mother.

In a daze she followed him out of the car—then realised the sound in the background was the murmur of the sea. They were outside Rick's home, not hers! 'Rick?' she queried softly, but he ignored her as he unlocked his front door, and urged her inside.

The bungalow was warm but in darkness. Anna supposed his parents had returned to Jersey, 'Rick?' she said again. 'Please take me home— Mother will be so worried!'

'Doesn't it worry her that you sleep with a man old enough to be your father?' Rick barked, snapping on the lights and banging the front door.

'I don't!' Anna gasped, her eyes flashing. 'Surely you don't believe that?'

In the artificial light Rick looked haggard, weary. That lock of hair was getting in his eyes again but Anna resisted the impulse to push it back. In his present unpredictable mood anything might happen.

'I don't know what I believe any more,' he said, his voice tired. 'I thought you were a sweet, old-fashioned girl. Then I hear on the grapevine that you're out until all hours with that . . . that wolf! You went to see him this evening asking him a favour. You wouldn't dare ask a consultant for favours unless you were already giving him yours!' he snapped, and Anna flinched away from the contempt in his eyes.

'No, Rick! It wasn't like that! He and . . .' Anna began but was given no time to complete the sentence, to explain about her mother. Strong fingers closed on her wrist and she was half dragged towards a closed door. Panic-stricken, Anna struggled but could not prise her wrist free.

The closed door led to the bedroom. Anna's frightened gaze took in only the bareness of the room—and the size of the bed. Then Rick picked her up and laid her on the huge bed, his body following her.

'Rick! No!' she gasped, getting a hand free and raking her nails down the side of his face.

He swore, then captured both her hands so that she was left with teeth as her only defence, her legs crushed under the weight of him. Blood showed on the ugly scratch marks she'd made, and Anna stopped struggling. She'd hurt him!

'My poor Rick!' she murmured and, surprised, Rick let go of her hands. He flinched away as her right hand traced the marks she had made. 'Oh, Rick, I'm so sorry! I'll give you first aid,' she said determinedly, but Rick forced her down again.

'If I want first aid, I'm perfectly capable of giving it to myself!' he ground out, his eyes a stormy grey now. 'Does it turn you on to have a registrar as well as a consultant in your bed?' he went on, and Anna wished she'd scratched him harder. 'Maybe Paul and I should work out a rota!' he went on harshly, and Anna almost spat in her anger.

'What about you then? You and that . . . that Beth Sinclair!' she stormed, wishing she wasn't at such a disadvantage. Pinned to the bed as she was, it was difficult to quarrel.

'Beth? What about her?' Rick rolled on to his back, releasing Anna, who sat up, eyes sparking fire at him.

'You have so many girlfriends that I suppose
you
must have a rota! There's Beth Sinclair, and . . .' She paused uncertainly.
Did
he have others?

'Yes, Nurse?' Rick prompted her, his even breathing suggesting he was half-asleep.

How could he lie there so calmly. 'There's Margaret Warwick,' she went on.

Rick raised himself on one elbow and smiled. 'Margaret Warwick. Am I enjoying an affair with her as well?' he asked softly, his eyes no longer angry. Anna swallowed and moved further away from him.

She sat right on the edge of the bed, and heard his husky chuckle. 'She seemed fond of you,' she said stubbornly, and he chuckled again.

'Most women are fond of me,' he acknowledged smugly. 'I have lots of endearing little ways.'

Anna choked. 'I want to go home.'

'All right,' he said, surprising her. He rolled off the bed and stood gazing down at her. 'Just tell me one thing. Are you and Paul Tester having an affair?'

Anna's eyes met his. If she had seen tenderness there, or humour, she might have told him about her mother and Paul. But all she saw was bleakness, a remoteness in his gaze. He didn't care one way or the other. He was simply satisfying his curiosity. Well, she would not give him that satisfaction!

She shrugged. 'Mind your own business!' she retorted, and was momentarily afraid as Rick glared down at her, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.

He spun on his heel without another word, and Anna, her heart aching, watched his broad back disappear. From the sound of crockery being clashed, she gathered he was in the kitchen, and she followed him, her stockinged feet making no sound.

Unnoticed, she watched him making coffee, his strong, deft hands moving to and fro, his jaw set in a stubborn line. How she loved him! Her fingers ached to run themselves through his fine hair. She longed to smooth away the lines of temper and fatigue on his lean face. Longed, too, to feel his arms about her.

But it was a complete stranger who spun round at some sound she made. A tall, dark stranger, with bitterness etched on his face, with cold greyish eyes, his mouth a thin hard line, and Anna sighed for what she'd lost. He believed she was having an affair with his boss. Because of that, he despised her. She couldn't let him go on believing that, she couldn't!

'Rick,' she began, as he returned to his task. There was no sign that he'd even heard her, and resentfully, she tried again. 'Rick, do listen! I'm not . . That is, he and I aren't having an affair.'

'Oh?' He sounded uninterested, and Anna wanted to shake him. He could be so stubborn! He handed her a cup of black coffee and she stared down at it.