Anne Mather by Sanja

was young and attractive and quite intelligent and she was sure he could have liked her. Although he was antagonistic towards her, his eyes told her that he found her attractive, too, and she really felt quite amused at his transparent jealousy.
    'How long have you been at university?' she asked, drawing on her cigarette.
    'A year,' replied John, sounding much more natural. 'I'm reading philosophy.'
    'You amaze me,' remarked Caroline with some sarcasm, and John smiled suddenly, relaxing completely. 'Do you like being there?'
    'It's okay, I guess,' replied John, with a sigh. 'I quite enjoy the atmosphere, the friends I work with, and of course, I'm interested in my subject.'
    'It sounds intriguing,' remarked Caroline. 'I'm afraid philosophy is one subject I know nothing about.'
    'Few people do,' replied John, smiling. Then as remembrance of who she was returned to him, he said quietly: 'How long have you known my father?'
    'A week,' answered Caroline, watching his reaction.
    'Is that all?' he exclaimed, then he shrugged. 'You seem to have become very well acquainted in a very short time.'
    Caroline flushed. 'It happens like that sometimes,' she replied calmly.
    'So I believe,' said John, with a sneer in his voice. 'And I suppose money doesn't bother you either?'
    'No, it does not!' exclaimed Caroline. 'Honestly, it seems to me that far too much emphasis is placed on money in this family. You can please your petty little self whether you believe me or not, but your father's money is not what attracted me to him. He's a very attractive man, or hadn't you noticed? Your girl-friend has!'
    John was furious now and Caroline felt pleased. He thought he was so clever. Well, she had shaken his complacency!
    She rose to her feet and strolled over to the wide windows which overlooked the drive. It gave John time to control his temper. He had not enjoyed being made a fool of by a girl he was coming to like, regardless of her attachment to his father. He was used to being immediately popular with any girls he met and the fact that this girl preferred his father baulked him. She must know that he was just as attractive money- wise, and he could not understand how she could prefer his father who was almost forty. After all, she could only be about eighteen herself!
    The entry of Toni Landon brought a welcome end to his speculation and he turned to greet her with a smile. Dressed this morning in a slim-fitting skirt and a red sweater, she looked very charming and John decided to ignore Caroline.
    'I'm sorry I'm late, darling,' she exclaimed. 'You ought not to have such comfy beds here. Mine was dreamy.. .but dreamy, darling.'
    Caroline raised her eyes heavenward as she listened to Toni's inconsequent chatter. No wonder Adam was soon bored if the women of his acquaintance spoke like that. Decorative ornaments, thought Caroline, sighing. Somewhere for the men to hang the jewellery where it would be seen. Walking models of fabulous dresses but inwardly empty shells without any interest in anything but themselves.
    Excusing herself, she left the dining-room, collected her duffel coat from the cloakroom and slipping it on opened the front door and stepped outside. Closing the door behind her, she shivered momentarily as the cold air hit her after the heat of the house.
    Everywhere was covered with the fairy-like coating of frost and the air was fresh and invigorating. Much different from London, thought Caroline, used to the smells of petrol and diesel fumes. Thrusting her hands deep into the pockets of her coat, she made her way round to the rear of the building where she had seen the swimming pool the night before.
    It was easy to find her way and she walked on down the path, through the now stark rose beds, past the pool and the tennis courts into a copse of trees. Her earlier lethargy had partly dispersed when she came out of the trees into a clearing to find a stables, and standing in the forecourt was Adam with two other men. One was