Free Two Against the Odds by Joan Kilby

the nitrogen bases join in the middle like the rungs of a ladder. Does that make any sense?”
    â€œSort of.” Lexie turned the tap off. “I’d better look it up on the internet. Thanks!”
    â€œWhy are you interested in this?” Sienna asked.
    â€œIt’s for your portrait. I don’t want to say too much. It might not work out in the end.” Hearing a knock, she said, “Someone’s at the door, Sienna. I’ll talk to you later.”
    She dried her hands and hurried out, surprised to see Hetty on the doorstep. “Where were you? Didn’t you come back last night?”
    â€œNo, I was trying to make up with your father. And before you ask, no, we didn’t resolve anything.” Hetty moved past Lexie in a swish of wide black pants and a soft gray wrap top. She tilted her head. “How come you didn’t know I wasn’t here last night. Where were you?”
    â€œUm…working on Sienna’s portrait,” Lexie evaded.
    â€œYou’re unblocked!” Hetty gave her a quick hug. “At least something’s going right.”
    She glanced around the messy kitchen and clucked her tongue. Taking the colander out of the sink, she started stacking Lexie’s dirty dishes in it, squirting liquid soap, running hot water.
    â€œDon’t do my washing up,” Lexie said. “I’ll get to it.”
    â€œYou’ll forget now that you’re painting again.” Hetty reached for the dishcloth. “How are you getting along with Rafe? It can’t be easy having a stranger in the house all day long.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, we’re getting along rather well.”
    Hetty glanced over her shoulder, eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?”
    â€œHe’s amazing in bed.” The words just popped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She clapped her hand over her lips. “But don’t say anything. No one’s supposed to know.”
    â€œWho would I tell?” Hetty turned around, her hands dripping soap. “But are you sure that’s wise? He’s so young.”
    â€œIs he ever!” Lexie’s smile grew smug as she held up a hand showing four fingers.
    Hetty’s eyes widened, her mouth dropped.
    â€œHello?” Rafe called from the front door. “May I come in?”
    â€œShh. Don’t let on I said anything,” Lexie whispered. Raising her voice, she called out, “We’re in the kitchen.”
    Hetty spun back to the sink. With a lot of splashing and running of water she soaped a plate.
    Rafe paused in the doorway. “Good morning.”
    His hair was slightly damp and as he glanced at her his face colored. Lexie spared a brief regret for not staying till morning just so they could have showered together.
    â€œHey, Rafe. Sleep well?” With her mother’s back turned she sauntered over and leaned up to kiss him on his reddening cheek.
    â€œWhere did you disappear to last night?” he murmured.
    â€œI had a brainwave. But I can’t talk about it, not until it’s on the canvas.” Squeezing his hand, she slipped out the back door.
    Â 
    R AFE FOLLOWED her progress to her studio through the window over the sink. His hand tightened on his briefcase handle. She was supposed to be discreet and here she’d just kissed him in front of her mother. Sure, Hetty’s back was to them but still.
    â€œI should just go speak with her a moment,” Rafe said to Hetty as he edged toward the door. “Um, about her taxes.”
    â€œYou don’t have to be coy around me.”
    Something in her voice stopped him dead. “What did she tell you?”
    â€œThat you two were getting along well.” Hetty put the dishcloth down and dried her hands. “Sit down,” she said, nodding to a chair at the kitchen table. “I need to talk to you. I’ve been doing what you suggested but it’s not working.”
    Oh, no, not