Free In Denial by Nigel Lampard Page A

sleeping figure thinking of the hearts she was going to break in the future. She not only inherited her mother’s colouring and looks but also her temperament. Whereas Patrick was a moody and sometimes a downright disobedient child, Lucinda was compliant and far less troublesome.
    By the time Adam came into their lives on a permanent basis, Patrick had, as a direct result of his father’s strictness, also begun to conform. But Joseph was not fooled: underneath the surface there was a time-bomb ticking and one day it would explode. Joseph just prayed that when the time came he would be able to harness the energy and use it rather than let it ruin his, and maybe other people’s, lives.
    Peter Walker had appeared on the scene soon after Adam’s adoption, and Joseph had to admit he had worked absolute wonders with Colombo Dragon Enterprises. Peter wasn’t asked to help market the expansion; he suggested it.
    He’d taken one of his beautiful, voluptuous female companions to Christina’s first Colombo Dragon restaurant in Granville Circuit off Granville Road. Once they had eaten he asked if the owner was around and if so could he have a word. Christina, eager to monitor early progress was on the premises while Joseph was at home looking after the three children.
    ‘ Do sit down,’ Walker suggested, standing and holding a chair out for Christina, who in turn eyed cautiously the Chinese woman on the other side of the table. Although they smiled sweetly at each other, it was very evident that Christina’s invitation to join them hadn’t been a mutual decision.
    ‘ Thank you,’ Christina said, visibly uncomfortable.
    ‘ Let me do the introductions. My name is Peter Walker and I have a public relations-cum-sales and marketing company up in Mongkok. This is Sun Sat Ping, or Sunnie as she prefers to be called, my advertising secretary.’
    Christina exchanged a fingertip handshake with Peter Walker but just nodded at the other woman, whom she immediately decided was anything but an advertising secretary. For a start she was probably no more than eighteen or nineteen and although the cheongsam she was wearing did suggest she was in public relations, it was undoubtedly not the branch of public relations Peter Walker had described.
    ‘ My name is Christina Yong. What can I do for you, Mr Walker?’
    ‘ It is hopefully what I can do for you.’
    ‘ And what might that be?’
    ‘ I sense a smidgen of hostility in your voice.’ He clicked his fingers at a passing waiter and Christina was pleased to see that Kai didn’t bat an eyelid.
    ‘ Sir?’
    ‘ A bottle of your best champagne and it had better be cold.’
    ‘ We would not dream of serving it any other way, sir.’ Kai stole a look at Christina who nodded as she allowed a slight smile to play on her lips.
    ‘ I should think not.’
    Kai went away.
    ‘ Now … Christina Yong, that’s an interesting name. It’s rather obvious you’re neither Chinese nor European, so, if it’s not too impertinent, may I ask where your names come from?’
    ‘ It is impertinent but I’ll tell you anyway. Yong is my married name. Navarajasingham was my maiden name and Christina was added when I married my husband Joseph, to keep you Europeans happy.’
    Peter Walker laughed but Sunnie remained expressionless. ‘You know, Christina, I think you and I are going to get on well together, very well indeed.’
    ‘ And what makes you think we’re going to get on at all?’
    Just as he was about to reply Kai returned with the champagne, three flutes and an ice bucket. He expertly allowed the cork to leave the bottle with a slight pop. He filled two of the flutes but looked at his boss before filling the third.
    ‘ Cheers!’ Peter Walker said, reaching across the table and clicking the other two glasses with his. ‘Here’s to a profitable future.’
    Christina took a sip from her glass. ‘Mr Walker, this restaurant has been open barely three months. I’m very busy and although I