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restaurant at the top of the Grand Hotel—I've heard one or two people speak well of it.' He flicked a glance at her as they turned off from the roundabout onto the main Charding road.
    'I'd like that,' Anna enthused, pushing out of her mind the thought that less than a week ago Simon had invited her out and she'd made herself refuse. But Alex is easier, different altogether, not a threat to my happiness, she told herself, hearing him suggest Tuesday evening, to which she agreed.
    She wouldn't have minded him kissing her when they got back to The Gables, but she didn't long for this to happen and neither was she surprised when all he did was grip her hands tightly, then slide back into the car.
    He's not the sort to sweep a girl off her feet, she thought, letting herself into the hall, but he's attractive and I like him; passion isn't all. Without warning again, and annoyingly, Simon slid into her mind just as Prue came in from the garden, brandishing the evening paper.
    'Anna, there's been a baby abandoned...at the hospital...in Casualty! There's a photograph. Look—' she stabbed a finger at the bottom of the front page '—there's your Mr Easter holding it. The poor little thing was left there, they think, early this morning, and only a few hours old!'
    Wordlessly Anna took the paper from her grandmother, and stared at the blurred photograph of Simon standing with the child in his arms. He could have been anyone, with his face half-turned, looking down at the shawled bundle. He was wearing a white coat, which Sister Rose Webb would have insisted he donned whilst up in the baby unit—she was a stickler for would-be germs.
    'A newborn baby boy,' Anna started to read, 'was left in the casualty department of the Regent Hospital today in a plastic bag, wrapped in a towel and crying lustily. Mr Simon Easter, Consultant Gynaecologist, pictured above, said the baby appeared to be in good health, but appealed for the mother to come forward as she may be in need of medical care. It is emphasised that no charges of any kind will be brought.'
    'It was on the six o'clock news as well,' Prue said, pushing Anna through into her flat. 'A nurse was holding the baby then, and there was a picture of the ward.'
    'I expect the nurse was Rose Webb, the sister on Maternity.' Anna handed the paper back. 'Let's hope the mother turns up, but I'd like to bet she won't. We had a case like that at the Walbrook once.' She Sat down heavily on Prue's settee, feeling deadly tired. Champagne, when long gone, leaves lassitude in its wake, and she very nearly snapped at Prue when she asked her if she was going to ring Rose Webb up.
    'No, I'm certainly not,' she said. 'She wouldn't thank me for it; she'd think I was muscling in, stealing her limelight! I'll go up and see the baby on Monday, if it hasn't been claimed before then.'
    'You nurses are a funny lot!' Prue pulled a face.
    'A breed apart.' Anna managed to laugh and to go on to talk about the show, and about Tom being runner-up in his event and getting a rosette.
    'Not the medal, then?' Prue looked concerned.
    'No, a girl got that.'
    'Was he very upset?'
    'I'm afraid he was, and he couldn't hide it at first, but Imogen Rayland had words with him—what they were I don't know—but they did the trick; he went off and congratulated the girl, much to Alex's relief and mine. I thought there'd be a scene. Anyway, she, Imogen, took him home afterwards so that they could see to his horse. Alex and I had tea together, then went on to Mapletons' stand.'
    'The Mapletons... Wowee!' Prue liked to use what she thought of as modern expressions.
    'Alex was welcomed like royalty.'
    'That surprises me not at all; the Marriners move in exalted circles; their business is top of the tree.'
    'I suppose it is.' Anna got up to go.
    'And you enjoyed yourself, I hope?'
    'Yes, I did, more than I thought I would. It was such an utter change.'
    'Good.' Prue switched her radio on. 'I'm very glad to hear it. It's time you began to