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result of your scheming! Irene would most certainly not have suggested your sister coming here.'
    Adam found that Emma disturbed him; even when he wanted to attack her, anger didn't take him all the way. She sat there, a challenge, and he suddenly desired that there should be peace between them so that their relationship might flourish. Nevertheless he did nothing to further it as he said, 'Are you suggesting that I manoeuvred it?' He cursed himself for saying just the wrong thing to promote harmony. He faced the fact that it was impossible to treat her as a valued friend, no matter how sincere his intentions.
    Emma's eyes darkened as emotion sparked off her retort. 'I most certainly am! I should say you're very skilful at getting your own way.'
    He shot at her, 'With you being the exception.'
    'We are not discussing me!' She held his gaze in a critical intense look. 'But I won't have you manipulating Irene just to prove your pet theories.'
    There was a sudden silence while they gazed at each other in an enquiring, mesmeric look, emotion near the surface as the memory of his kiss lay between them.
    His voice came almost as a shock, throbbing into the silence.
    'A truce, Emma.'
    She sat tense, aware of him, weakened by the power of his attraction.
    No words seemed to come, and he continued, 'Give me a chance to prove to you that we can transform Irene's life.'
    Emma shivered, overwhelmed.
    'And to seal it, have dinner with me tomorrow,' he added persuasively.
    Emma was all churned up, her heart thudding. The whole situation held an element of fantasy, and almost before she realised what she was saying she whispered, 'Very well. . .' Marion would take care of Irene. And suddenly she asked herself if this was real, or was she dreaming? A truce and dinner with Adam. A question pierced her brain with the sharpness of a dagger: did he take Judy out to dinner?
    * * *
    Emma was not prepared for Irene's reaction when told of the arrangement. She had been prepared for a reluctant attitude, but, for once, Irene did not bring herself into it, or mention being left with Marion as Emma had already arranged.
    'I think you're mad to get involved with Adam, when it's obvious he's interested in Judy Meyhew. You've only to watch his expression when he talks of her, and Marion has seen them out together.' She added forcibly, 'I'm quite sure it is a subject of gossip in the town.'
    Emma felt annoyed and flashed, 'Gossip! All doctors are gossiped about! We've said that before.'
    Irene looked knowing as she exclaimed, 'I asked you—or rather, told you—that Adam attracted you, but that you wouldn't admit it. Your going out with him proves me right.'
    Emma tried never to get annoyed, or argue, with Irene, but this was one occasion when the resolution failed her.
    'All this analysis because I'm going out in the evening for once!' Her voice had an edge to it.
    Irene looked distressed.
    'It isn't that,' she protested. 'Only you can't adopt one attitude and then behave as though everything is normal.' She could not stop the thought flashing through her mind that if Adam and Emma should eventually fall out, the repercussions would involve her. Something she dreaded. Equally, as she had previously admitted, she didn't want Emma to fall in love with Adam. The possibility made her feel ill. She could not bear to think of the present pattern of their lives being changed. It was agony to contemplate Emma ever marrying. What, Irene asked desperately, would happen to her then?
    Emma took her stand, Irene's general utterances hitting home. Why was it that she, Emma, was so resistant to the idea that Adam attracted her? It seemed hypocrisy in view of her present capitulation and the advent of a truce between them.
    'I don't want my actions analysed, Irene. I just want an evening out. Suppose we leave it at that?' Her voice was firm, and Irene knew that she could not take matters any further.
    'Will you be late?' The question came involuntarily as Irene returned