Free Sarah's Secret by Catherine George Page B

reached up to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you, Jake.’
    He stepped back, a pulse throbbing visibly at the corner of his mouth. ‘Don’t mention it,’ he said huskily. ‘Goodnight, Sarah.’
    She walked with him to the door and held up her face for their customary friendly kiss, but he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with such heat and hunger she was speechless when he let her go.
    ‘I’ll ring you.’ He smiled crookedly into her dazed eyes, then went out to the car and to her intense disappointment drove off, with no mention of meeting again before their trip to Norfolk.

CHAPTER SIX
    S ARAH was too busy to miss Jake over the weekend. At least, not as much as she’d expected. From the moment she collected Davy and Polly from school life was so hectic her only respite was in bed. There was a picnic tea in the garden when they got home on the Friday afternoon, and a trip to McDonald’s later. Once the children were in bed in Davy’s room Sarah finished off the work she’d brought home, then fell into bed herself to get some rest in preparation for next day.
    The two little girls were up early, Davy eager to introduce the excited Polly to their Saturday programme of swimming, lunch, and cinema. After the film Sarah drove them home to play in the garden before supper, then finished off the day with a round of board games. Margaret surprised Sarah no end by joining in to make up a four.
    ‘Thank you,’ said Sarah gratefully, after she’d packed the lively pair off to bed. ‘I thought you were going out tonight.’
    ‘I had lunch with Barbara today, instead of our usual supper. We went over arrangements for the Tuscany trip.’ Margaret eyed her granddaughter searchingly. ‘Sarah, purely as a matter of interest, how does Jake Hogan feel about your no-weekend rule?’
    ‘If he objects he’s not saying so. Besides, I laid my cards on the table about Davy from the first. Most of them, anyway,’ she added with a sigh, then eyed hergrandmother warily. ‘By the way, Jake’s going to Nick’s wedding with me.’
    ‘Really?’ Dark eyebrows shot to meet the hair that was still as brown as Sarah’s under its frosting of silver. ‘In what capacity, exactly?’
    ‘As my friend.’
    Margaret said nothing for a moment, then gave Sarah a searching look. ‘Is that all he is?’
    ‘Of course.’ Sarah met the look head-on. ‘That’s all he can be.’
     
    Sunday morning was fine, with a forecast promising sunshine which augured well for the Rogers’ barbecue. After packing Davy’s bag for the school week, Sarah wandered round the garden in her dressing gown for a while to gauge the temperature, then went into her room to change into a raspberry linen skirt. She added a plain white shirt, rolled the sleeves to just below her elbows, then went to collect the girls.
    ‘Ready for the off?’ said Margaret, on her way downstairs to say goodbye to Davy.
    ‘Yes. Though I’m not sure about the skirt. I’m not exactly up on what the well-dressed barbecue guest is wearing this season.’ Sarah made a face. ‘I’ll feel very silly if everyone else is in jeans.’
    But when she delivered Polly to her parents Sarah was relieved to find that only Don was in jeans. Alison was wearing a strappy cotton dress.
    ‘Have you been good?’ Alison asked, hugging her daughter, who at top speed proceeded to itemise all the fab things she’d done in Pennington, then rushed Davy into the garden to play.
    ‘I hope you’re not worn out, Sarah,’ said Don. ‘Sit down, have a drink, and relax.’
    Sarah took the reclining chair he offered, and assured her hosts that Polly had been no trouble at all over the weekend. ‘As you said, it’s easier with two. Though I’m afraid they didn’t get to sleep very early.’
    ‘They will tonight, back in school,’ said Alison comfortably. ‘In the meantime thank heavens we’re lucky with the weather. Let’s just sit for a minute and enjoy the sun. The others aren’t due for a