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‘He’s an ideal role model, Alex. You can achieve your ambitions. I’m sure in less than a year everyone will be talking about Frobisher Chocolates.’

She gave him a watery grin. ‘Oh, I do hope so.’

‘What a handsome town,’ he remarked, charmed by the ornate Victorian architecture.

‘I’ve always thought it rather prim,’ she replied.

‘No, I’d call it elegant.’

‘People used to come here religiously to take the waters,’ she chuckled. ‘It’s built its wealth as a spa town.’

He nodded. ‘My mother swears by the waters of Kent at Tunbridge Wells,’ he said before correcting himself with a grin. ‘Royal Tunbridge Wells, that is.’

‘If we have time,’ Alex said, sounding momentarily distracted as she looked for somewhere to park her car, ‘we can take a walk onto the Stray – that’s the park that surrounds part of the city – but first some tea and cake to cheer us. Ah, there’s a good spot.’ Alex deftly swerved their vehicle next to the kerb.

‘I’m impressed,’ he admitted, making her smile again, even though he knew neither of them was feeling it. ‘Let me get the door for you and with luck we’ll dodge the threatening shower,’ he offered, before opening his door and swinging himself easily out of the passenger seat. He moved around to the driver’s side door for Alex, wondering whether to suggest retrieving the umbrella he’d glimpsed in her boot, when a voice quavered nearby.

‘Is that you, dear Alexandra?’

Harry watched Alex freeze a smile as she stepped around to the kerb. ‘It is. Hello, Wanda.’ She kissed the older woman holding the arm of a female helper. ‘What brings you to Harrogate?’

‘Meeting some old friends, dear, who are convinced they can start a new winter season for the spa waters . . . either that or they’re getting in early for spring,’ she chortled and then her gaze inevitably shifted to Harry with undisguised interest. ‘But this ice is treacherous, isn’t it? I had to bring my maid Joyce with me to stop me slipping on it. We’re staying over in Ripon.’ All of this was said without removing her stare from Harry.

‘Oh, how lovely for you. Wanda, this is Henry Blakeney,’ Alex offered breezily, her fake smile widening. ‘He’s a friend of the family and up from Sussex.’ Her parents wouldn’t contradict her if asked, she was sure. ‘He’s escaping frantic wedding arrangements. Bethany’s expecting you home today, isn’t she, darling Harry?’

He blinked at her, clearing his throat. ‘All true. I can’t escape my groom duties any longer,’ he answered.

‘Harry, may I introduce Mrs Wanda Barraclough, a very dear friend of my mother’s.’

The fur-laden woman extended a hand, the other still firmly linked around her maid’s. ‘We went to school together,’ she joshed. ‘How have you enjoyed York, Mr Blakeney?’

‘Immensely, thank you. It has given me memories to take home and keep close forever.’ He didn’t look at Alex, noting how well she kept her irritation hidden that he would risk the subtle jest in front of someone he was guessing was a sharp-tongued gossip.

‘Oh, how charming. Minerva must be taking the modern approach allowing you out and about with a handsome bachelor, my dear.’

‘Good grief, Wanda, I’m a married woman now. I don’t ask my mother’s permission about whom I spend time with.’

‘Only teasing, darling girl. Of course I realise you and Mr Blakeney are likely meeting dear Matthew for afternoon tea.’ She blinked frantically as she fished.

‘Matthew?’

‘Yes, dear. I just saw him barely a moment ago. It’s why I presumed you’re here together . . . or perhaps you’re not?’ Again her gaze lazed heavily on Harry with deepening intrigue.

‘Oh, no, I hope we haven’t missed him. I didn’t think he’d be here so early,’ Alex said, recovering brilliantly, in Harry’s estimation. ‘He told us three o’clock, didn’t he, Harry?’

Harry’s mouth twitched. It was an attempt at a smile. ‘That was my understanding,’ he answered obediently.

‘Gosh, well, thank you, Wanda. I’d better find my husband. Where did you see him?’

Wanda’s chins wobbled in what Harry could see was bafflement. He must congratulate Alex later on the effortless manner in which she fibbed. ‘He was with a colleague,’ Wanda explained. ‘They were obviously having a meeting at the Crown Hotel, just around the corner. Probably headed this way shortly because Matthew’s colleague has to catch a train.’

‘My . . . you have discovered a lot, Wanda. Thank you.’ Despite her phoney confidence, Harry could hear the slight warble of nervousness. Perhaps he should leave too.

‘Goodbye, Mrs Barraclough,’ he said to extract Alex from the woman’s orbit. ‘Let’s find Matthew, Alex, shall we?’

‘We must,’ she agreed. ‘Goodbye, Wanda. See you at the weekend at Tilsden Hall, no doubt?’ She lifted a hand in farewell and her mother’s friend gave a similar gesture but looked perplexed by the swift departure.

Harry took Alex’s arm lightly but there was no doubting they both hurried across the road.