A Forbidden Temptation. Anne Mather

mean Sean Nesbitt?’

      ‘That’s right. Sean Nesbitt. He’s a mate. I’m not about to forget that, am I?’

      Lisa pulled a face. ‘Really?’

      ‘Hey, I don’t tell lies,’ retorted Jack, slotting his wallet and his mobile phone into his jacket pockets. ‘Which reminds me, you never did tell me where you were going the night you had the accident.’

      He didn’t get an answer and he didn’t really expect one. It was a question he’d asked many times before. He knew, without even looking again, that Lisa was gone.

      The Lexus was still standing on the drive and, dodging the rain, Jack got behind the wheel and started the powerful engine. Then, shoving a CD into the player, he backed the vehicle out onto the road.

      So far he’d only seen a small part of the area. Cumbria and the Lake District were only a couple of hours’ drive west but, without much hesitation, Jack headed for the A1.

      As he drove Jack wondered if he’d intended to visit Alnwick all along or whether Lisa’s taunts had piqued his interest. Either way, he refused to concede that he had any anticipation of seeing Grace again.

      He was lucky enough to get parked in the town centre.

      Despite the lowering clouds, there were plenty of people about, and Jack bought a map of the area before retiring to the nearest coffee shop to study it.

      ‘Looking for somewhere in particular?’

      The pretty waitress who’d served him his coffee was standing at his shoulder and Jack looked up at her ruefully, wishing he had an answer for that.

      ‘Not specially,’ he replied non-committally. ‘I’ve never been to Alnwick before.’

      ‘Oh, you’re a tourist!’ The girl evidently thought she had him taped. ‘You’re from Ireland, aren’t you?’ She smiled flirtatiously. ‘I love your accent.’

      ‘Thanks.’ Jack grinned, amused in spite of himself. ‘Do you live in Alnwick?’

      ‘Just outside.’ She pulled a face. ‘It’s too expensive to live in town.’

      ‘It is?’

      ‘Oh, God, yes.’ She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the proprietor of the café hadn’t noticed she was wasting time. ‘It’s just as well you’re not looking for a house.’ She dimpled. ‘Unless you’re a secret millionaire, of course.’

      Jack looked down at the map again, not wanting to give her any ideas. Besides, he reminded himself, he hadn’t come here looking for property.

      Or estate agents, if it came to that.

      ‘Are you staying in town?’

      The girl was persistent and Jack decided he had to nip this in the bud.

      ‘No,’ he said neutrally, swallowing the last of his coffee and pulling out his wallet. ‘I’m heading north to—’ He cast a quick glance at the map. ‘To Bamburgh.’ He got to his feet. ‘I believe there’s a castle there, too.’

      ‘Are you interested in castles?’

      When Jack started for the counter to pay his bill, she accompanied him, apparently indifferent to the customers still waiting to be served.

      Avoiding a direct answer, he said, ‘Thanks for your advice.’ He accepted his change with an apologetic smile for the cashier, hoping he could get out of the café without offending the waitress hovering behind him.

      But to his dismay, she followed him to the door.

      ‘If you need someone to show you around, I’ll be finished in an hour,’ she offered eagerly. And Jack was just about to break his own rules and blow her off when the door opened and another young woman came in.

      ‘Jack!’

      ‘Grace.’

      Jack managed to keep his reaction under control. But he was fairly sure that Grace had immediately regretted the way his name had sprung so effortlessly to her lips.

      However, it was the young waitress who looked the most put out.

      ‘Hi, Grace,’ she said grudgingly. Then, glancing at Jack, ‘Do you two know one another?’

      ‘Um—a little.’

      Grace was offhand, and before Jack could say anything in his own defence the waitress spoke again.

      ‘Hey,’ she exclaimed disbelievingly. ‘Don’t tell me this is your boyfriend. I thought his name was Sean.’

      In the circumstances, Grace was loath to say anything. She felt hot colour rising up into her face. Of all people to run into—again—it had to be Jack Connolly. And, judging from the other girl’s attitude, she wouldn’t be averse to him taking an interest in her.

      And why should it bother her? thought Grace crossly.

      Meanwhile, Jack was feeling significantly peeved. He was all too aware of how the situation must look to Grace and he didn’t like it.

      ‘Look, I’m leaving,’ he said, uncaring at that moment what either of them thought of him. He nodded to Grace. ‘See you around.’