Free Sarah's Secret by Catherine George

good.’
    ‘Done!’
     
    They went to the cinema together that night, and held hands, just as Jake had promised. And when he drove Sarah home he gave her a brief goodnight kiss in the car, then saw her to her door. He took her to dinner at the Chesterton the following evening, and to the theatre later in the week to see the local repertory company tackling Ibsen. But when Jake brought her home after the play the brooding look reappeared when they arrived in Campden Road.
    ‘I suppose that’s it until next week, then?’
    ‘Afraid so.’ Sarah chuckled. ‘If I live that long! Tomorrow Davy’s bringing Polly home with her for the weekend. After which we take Polly back and join theRogers family for Sunday lunch.’ She smiled at him. ‘I’m really looking forward to that.’
    ‘Will you be up to seeing me on Sunday evening afterwards?’
    ‘Probably not,’ she said with regret. ‘I may just want to crawl into bed.’
    Jake frowned. ‘Which means Wednesday before I see you again. I’m away on Monday, and I’ll be tied up until late on Tuesday evening.’
    Sarah eyed him in dismay. ‘And Wednesday’s out for me. I forgot to tell you. I’m going away for a couple of days next week.’
    ‘You forgot ?’ he repeated wrathfully. ‘Where are you going?’
    She hesitated. ‘Jake. It’s early. Want some coffee?’
    His eyes gleamed. ‘You’re asking me in?’
    ‘Yes. Are you coming?’
    ‘What do you think?’ Jake slid out of the car at top speed, sprinted round it to let her out, then hustled her across the pavement to her door.
    ‘Why the rush?’ demanded Sarah, laughing as she put her key in the lock.
    ‘In case you change your mind on the way!’
    Margaret Parker emerged from the kitchen as Jake hurried Sarah into the hall.
    ‘Hello, Grandma,’ said Sarah blithely. ‘This is Jake Hogan. Jake, meet my grandmother, Margaret Parker.’
    ‘Good evening, Mr Hogan,’ said Margaret formally.
    Jake smiled and held out his hand. ‘How do you do, Mrs Parker?’
    Margaret took the hand briefly, and even managed a smile. ‘How was A Doll’s House ?’
    ‘The understudy had to go on as Nora, and she justwasn’t up to it,’ said Sarah, making a face. ‘Good thing you decided to give it a miss this week.’
    ‘I’m no Ibsen fan. By the way, I’m afraid you caught me raiding your kitchen, Sarah. I was out of coffee.’
    ‘Come and have some with us,’ offered Sarah, but Margaret declined politely, told Jake she’d been pleased to meet him, then took herself back up to her own quarters.
    ‘I see where you get the tortoiseshell eyes,’ commented Jake, watching Sarah as she put out cups.
    ‘My mother had them, too. The distaff genes dominate the looks in my family.’ Thank God, thought Sarah, as they went into the sitting room.
    ‘Not a night for sitting outside,’ she said with regret. ‘Last week it was too hot to breathe; this week it’s cold enough for autumn.’
    ‘Never mind our famous climate,’ said Jake, putting the tray down. ‘Tell me where you’re going next week.’
    ‘To a wedding.’
    ‘Whose?’
    ‘Old college friend.’ She shrugged. ‘I must make the effort to go, because Nick’s a good friend. And some of my old college crowd will be there—’
    ‘Do I hear a but?’ asked Jake.
    Sarah nodded. ‘The wedding’s midweek, which means no problem with Davy, and I had time owing to me at work—I even bought a suitable dress the other day.’
    Jake eyed her face as she poured coffee. ‘So what’s the snag?’
    ‘Pretty feeble, really.’ She pulled a face. ‘I’ll be the only one on my own. The others come in pairs.’
    ‘And you mind that?’
    ‘I do, rather. At this kind of wedding in the past Ialways had Nick for company. But this time he’s the bridegroom, so I’ll be a spare wheel.’
    ‘Does your invitation include a partner?’
    ‘Yes.’ She smiled wryly. ‘Nick put a note with the invitation, telling me to bring my current man with me.’
    Jake gave