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Might even become Deputy Area Manager,' he whispered. 'Area Manager's wife, Anna. You'd like that, wouldn't you?' he coaxed, and relief shot through her. He wasn't trying to ditch her!
    'Mike, I don't care about promotion. I would marry you tomorrow if . . .if you asked me,' she hurried on, blushing at her own cheek.
    He sighed. 'Look, Anna. I haven't anything to offer you. When I return things will be better. I could get a bigger flat for one thing.'
    She shook her head, smiling a little as she planned for their future. 'Silly, a Deputy Area Man-ager ought to have a house. Three bedrooms and a nice big sitting-room,' she added, thinking of the children she and Mike would have. 'Of course I would have to qualify first. You won't mind, will you?' she asked, afraid that he wouldn't let her continue her training.
    'No, I don't mind, pet,' he said quickly. 'Two incomes are better than one.'
    'Just for a while. When the babies come I'll stay at home. No dumping them in the crèche and going back to work part-time!' Anna said firmly, and Mike flinched.
    'Let's not get too domesticated!' He laughed, but it had a hollow ring to it and Anna judged that Mike didn't care for babies.
    Few men did, she supposed, until they fathered their own. It wasn't necessarily a fault, though if he was really dead-set against children she would have to sacrifice her maternal longings. It was little enough for the man she loved.
    Sadly, she ran her finger gently across his lips. 'When do you leave?'
    He started. 'Oh, not for a few weeks. Though the call could come at any time,' he added quickly. 'Anna—do you love me?'
    'You know I do! At least, I thought you did!' How could he not know?
    'If you love me, then let me spend my last few weeks with you, love,' he whispered against her hair.
    She began to protest, knowing how impossible his suggestion was. 'No, Anna, let me finish. I've got this flat to myself. I move in on Saturday. You could help me move in, share Saturday with me. It . . .it would make me so happy, Anna.' His usually arrogant voice was humble for once, and Anna hesitated.
    She was off on Saturday, as he well knew. His suggestion was that they spend the whole day making love. He didn't need her help with moving—he had no furniture of his own. He wanted her, loved her, and was what he was asking so much? She'd said she would marry him tomorrow, so why was she hesitating? What was she saving herself for? Some handsome consultant? Or a senior registrar with a steady gaze that burned right through to her soul?
    With a frightened gasp, she broke away from Mike. She didn't want to make the decision. And, try as she might, she could not shake off the image of penetrating blue-grey eyes staring accusingly at her, waiting for that decision.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    'Anna ?' Mike's voice was rough with emotion, and she put out a hand to ward him off, even though he hadn't moved.
    The decision was made. If she loved him she had no choice. If she turned him away now he would find solace in the arms of some pretty Irish girl. He might not even wait that long, she thought wryly. She had to prove how much she loved him and in Mike's opinion there was only one way to do that.
    Her voice was steady as she gave him her answer. 'Yes, I'll help you move in on Saturday. You were wanting to show me your new flat, weren't you?'
    'Anna! You really mean that?' Mike seemed unable to believe his ears and Anna smiled sadly. He hadn't expected her to capitulate, then.
    After a long, lingering kiss they made plans to meet on Saturday morning then Mike strolled away, whistling.
    She watched his powerful figure until he was lost in the darkness, then she shivered, the cold and damp easing their way through to her very bones. The die was cast and after Saturday there would be no going back.
    But what, she wondered, was she going to tell Mother?
    Friday passed slowly for Anna. She spent the morning in a daze. She changed her mother's library books then, greatly daring,