Part 48 (1/2)

a waste of time.

”We have to say goodbye, don't we?” He put on a Jim! Hendrix alb.u.m

because it reminded him that though the artist was dead, the music lived

on. ”Besides, once we're back in London, we're back to work in a big

way. I want to relax while I can.”

”How can we relax with a hundred people milling about the house?”

”Bev. It's our last night.”

She opened her mouth again, then closed it when Alice ushered the

children in. ”There's my boy.” She scooped Darren up on the fly before

she winked at Emma. ”Is Charlie ready for his trip?” She knew and

sympathized with Emma's unease with planes and smoothed a hand over the

girl's hair.

”He's just a little nervous. He'll be all right with me.”

”Of course he will.” She pressed a kiss on the delicate area between

Darren's ear and throat. ”Already bathed?” She'd wanted to take care of

that evening ch.o.r.e herself. There was nothing Bev liked better than to

play with Darren in the tub, smoothing the soapy cloth over his pale,

s.h.i.+ny skin.

”All washed and ready for bed,” Alice put in. ”They've just come to say

good night before I tuck them up.”

”I'll do that, Alice. With all the confusion today, I've hardly seen

the children.”

”All right, ma'am. I'll finish the packing.”

”Dad.” Emma gave Brian her shy little smile. ”Can we have a story?

Please.”

What he'd planned to do was roll a joint of good gra.s.s and listen to