Her One and Only by Penny Jordan Page B

fraudulently helping himself to money from one of their client’s accounts. It was only thanks to Ruth’s intervention that the whole unpleasant matter had been resolved without a scandal and Samantha knew from Olivia’s own comments that she had never really forgiven her father for what he had done.
    Her mother, who had divorced David in his absence, was now remarried and living in the south of England. Olivia had never been close to either of her parents and Jack had, of his own free will, chosen to live with his aunt and uncle rather than with his mother.
    ‘So, you don’t think that Olivia will have any more children, then,’ Samantha repeated.
    ‘I think she’d like to and I know that Caspar would—his work allows him to have more time to spend with them than Livvy’s does but, to be honest, I suspect it’s rather a sensitive issue between them at the moment. They were due to go on holiday this year to visit Caspar’s family in the States, but it had to be cancelled because Livvy is just so busy.
    ‘Haslewich has become rather a mini boom town. The extended motorway system has meant that several international industries have moved into the area and, of course, that means extra jobs, which means increased property development. Property prices have risen and on the outskirts of the town they’re currently just about to open one of these specialised shopping villages, all designer outlets and very, very smart.
    ‘Not that that was without problems—you ask James. He’s just won a very involved case for one of his clients against one of the contractors on the development.’
    ‘I can’t imagine James prosecuting. He always seems so gentle and compassionate. Although...’
    ‘Although what?’ Bobbie questioned interestedly as she slowed down for the motorway exit to Haslewich.
    ‘Well, we called on his parents on the way back from the airport and there was a girl there—Rosemary. I’ve never seen James react so antagonistically to anyone...mind you, her attitude towards him was extremely...’
    ‘...provocative?’ Bobbie suggested.
    Samantha looked at her. ‘Aggressive, I was about to say... Do you know her, Bobbie?’
    ‘I’ve met her. She was visiting Luke and James’s parents last Christmas and I had gone to see them with Francesca. Francesca wasn’t very well and Rosemary was absolutely sweet with her. She’s just recently qualified as a doctor, you know, and Pat was telling me that she is hoping to specialise in the area of paediatrics within the surgery complex. She certainly has a wonderful way with children.’
    ‘You liked her, then,’ Samantha stated.
    ‘Well...yes, I did, but I know what you mean about her and James, they certainly strike sparks off one another. Apparently she spent several months living with Henry and Pat whilst she was a teenager. Her parents were working abroad at the time, Luke wasn’t living at home then, but James was, and the two of them just didn’t hit it off together.’
    ‘Mmm... Oh, isn’t this the most beautiful scenery,’ Samantha enthused as she glanced out of the car window to look appreciatively at the gently rolling Cheshire countryside.
    ‘Very,’ Bobbie agreed.
    ‘It’s so peaceful,’ Samantha stressed.
    Bobbie laughed. ‘It might be now, wait until you get to Livvy’s!’
    Olivia and Caspar’s home was outside the town of Haslewich, a pretty, long low collection of buildings surrounded by a large garden and fields.
    As Bobbie brought the car to a halt on the driveway, Olivia was opening the front door and coming hurrying to meet them.
    Slim and energetic, her bobbed hair gleamed in the sunshine and a swift smile curled her mouth as she welcomed them.
    ‘Bobbie... Sam...’ She hugged each of them in turn and then gestured towards the house.
    ‘I thought we’d have lunch in the garden, it’s such a lovely day. I nearly had to cancel,’ Olivia confessed as she led the way through the house to the doors which opened out onto the