Free Buttoned-Up Secretary, British Boss by Susanne James

support us it fell to me to look after the house, always to be there to take care of Melly.’ Sabrina paused, picking up her mug of coffee. ‘Anyway, some years later—I was sixteen—my mother met David, an Australian. After a whirlwind affair they married and went to live in Sydney.’ She sipped from her mug. ‘We hear from them. Occasionally,’ she added.
    There was silence for a few seconds. ‘I imagine you had to grow up pretty quickly, Sabrina, having to take responsibility for your sister from such a young age after your father abandoned his family.’
    Sabrina smiled quickly. ‘I never really thought about it like that,’ she said. ‘But, yes, I suppose I did grow up almost overnight. Anyway.’ She nibbled at her sandwich. ‘Melly and I were always close, even as small kids—it sort of came naturally to me to take care of her,’ she added.
    ‘Do you go to Australia much to see your mother?’ Alexander wanted to know.
    ‘We’ve been twice,’ Sabrina said. She hesitated. ‘Time and distance eventually alienates you even from close relations,’ she said simply. ‘My mother has a new life, new friends. She can well do without us hindering her plans.’ Sabrina’s mouth twisted briefly. ‘I got thedistinct impression that she was relieved to wave us off back home last time.’
    Alexander looked solemn for a moment, an unexpected rush of compassion filling him as he considered what Sabrina had just told him. She hadn’t exactly had an easy life, he thought, yet she’d never demonstrated even a hint of self-pity in her attitude—except, perhaps, when she’d spoken about her fiancé last night. No, not self-pity, he amended, just sadness—genuine sadness.
    Suddenly Sabrina smiled brightly. ‘But the good news is that my sister seems to be on cloud nine at the moment. We had a long, long phone-call early today, and all the signs are very positive. The people she’s with are very friendly and helpful, and she loves the place they’re staying in. In fact, she sounded happier than she’s been for a long time. Apparently work starts in earnest tomorrow, and she can’t wait!’
    ‘That must be a real relief for you,’ Alexander said, feeling glad for Sabrina’s sake. Well, anyone would feel sympathy for another human being who’d had more than her fair share of life’s custard pies, he thought. He couldn’t help comparing Sabrina’s lot with his own and his brother’s. Although Lydia had always been a non-parent, he and Bruno had never wanted for any material thing, had never known hardship of any kind. Angus was a loyal and affectionate father, even though he was so often away from the UK. And there had always been others on hand to supply their every need.
    But what of his relationship with his sibling? Alexander asked himself. The two boys had always been grimly competitive, that was a well-known fact. It was fortunate that the famous brothers had each been so highly successful in their different careers. But they certainly did not enjoy the warmth and closeness thatSabrina and her sister so obviously did, and for the first time in his life Alexander felt regretful about that. He stared out of the window for a second as he finished the last of his coffee. It must be good, it must be brilliant, to be so deeply loved by anyone, he thought. Loved selflessly, with no regrets and with no expectation of anything in return. Just love for its own sake.
    Sabrina got down from her stool and turned to Alexander. ‘More coffee?’ she asked, and he shook his head.
    ‘No thanks, I’m fine for now.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’ll go and pick up the printout you did this morning and take it with me to the editor. I’m due in town shortly.’ He paused. ‘There’s all the scribbles I did earlier relating to my final chapter for you to decipher, Sabrina,’ he said, and paused. ‘I should be back by five-thirty, but if I’m going to be delayed I’ll give you a ring.’
    ‘Fine,’ Sabrina