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as yet come down for breakfast had added to her concern.

      When she emerged from the bathroom, her mother was standing in the bedroom doorway, her blue eyes, not unlike Joanna’s, narrowed in dismay. ‘Oh, darling,’ she said. ‘Have you been sick again? Do you think it was that risotto we had for supper yesterday evening? Lionel swore those prawns were fresh that morning, but, I must admit, I had my doubts.’

      Joanna blew out a breath and managed to straighten her shoulders. It was tempting to let her mother go on thinking that it was something she’d eaten that had caused her upset stomach.

      But it wasn’t. She’d been fighting off the truth for over three weeks now. And it wasn’t going to go away.

      ‘I’m sure the risotto was fine,’ she said, putting off the moment. ‘You look nice,’ she added, in an effort to divert herself. And it was true, in a pink silk tee and short dungarees, her mother looked younger than she’d done for years.

      ‘Thank you, darling.’

      Glenys smiled her pleasure and, moving to the mirror above the vanity, Joanna gave her own appearance a critical appraisal. The loose-fitting tank and khaki shorts hid the slightly enlarged shape of her breasts, which her mother might or might not notice. Pushing back her hair, she twisted it into a careless knot and then turned to face her mother again.

      Glenys looked anxious. ‘Are you still planning on going back to London tomorrow?’

      Joanna bit her lip. ‘I have to,’ she said, managing a smile. ‘And I have enjoyed this break. It was just what I needed.’

      ‘Well, I must admit I was delighted when you said you were coming down again. Two visits in less than a month. It must be a record.’ She paused. ‘Is it anything to do with Matt?’

      ‘Why should you think that?’

      ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Her mother looked anxious. ‘Has he been to see you again?’

      ‘No.’ Joanna was defensive. ‘I told you, Matt and I are getting a divorce.’

      ‘Well, I know what you said…but ever since you got here a few days ago, I’ve felt you had something on your mind.’

      And of course, she had.

      ‘David is expecting me back,’ Joanna said now, trying to change the subject. ‘August is a busy month, and he does pay my salary, you know.’

      Glenys snorted. ‘Surely, you’re not going to pretend you need the money, Joanna. Despite what you say about Matt, I’m sure he gives you a generous allowance.

      ‘I don’t take money from Matt.’

      ‘Well, I’m sure your father left you comfortably off, then,’ exclaimed her mother impatiently. ‘I remember you telling me that Matt’s company paid him millions of dollars for Carlyle Construction.’

      Joanna didn’t want to think about that, particularly after what Matt had said.

      She couldn’t deny she’d been surprised when her father’s solicitor had told her Angus had been virtually bankrupt when he died. Even the house he’d lived in, and where Joanna had spent her childhood, was mortgaged to the hilt. There’d been a little cash, which had eventually cleared probate. But she couldn’t think where all the money might have gone.

      ‘I like my job,’ she said, avoiding her mother’s comment. ‘I like my independence.’

      ‘Nevertheless, Lionel and I worry about you living in London on your own.’

      Joanna sighed, and then decided she couldn’t put it off any longer. ‘I won’t be on my own much longer,’ she said, and saw the way her mother’s eyes widened in surprise.

      With a wry smile, she continued, ‘I think I’m pregnant, Mum. I need to go back to London to see my doctor. To prove that the two pregnancy tests I took were not—’

      ‘You’re pregnant!’ Her mother didn’t let her finish. ‘Oh, Joanna, am I going to be a grandmother at last?’ And then, with rather less enthusiasm, ‘I suppose David Bellamy is the father.’

      ‘No!’ Joanna was appalled that her mother should think such a thing. ‘David’s a friend, that’s all. Look, I didn’t want to tell you this, but he’s already got a partner. A male partner. But, please, keep that to yourself.’

      ‘Of course.’ But her mother looked only partially relieved. ‘Then who?’

      ‘It’s Matt’s, of course,’ said Joanna flatly. ‘We spent the night together when I was in Miami. Go figure!’

      Glenys stared at her daughter. ‘But—I thought you said you went to ask him for a divorce.’

      ‘I did.’

      ‘I can’t believe it.’ Glenys struggled for words. ‘All those years you were trying for a baby…’ Her voice trailed away and she shook her head.

      ‘It just happened, that’s all. As you say, we’d tried so long to have a baby, I had no idea I’d get pregnant so easily.’

      ‘Still, there must be something between you two if you spent a night together,’ Glenys protested. ‘Have you told him yet?’

      ‘No. How could I?’ Joanna wished her mother weren’t so delighted by the news. ‘It—it was a mistake, Mum,’ she said flatly. ‘Now I’ve got to figure out what I’m going to do.’

      ‘But it’s good news, surely,’ exclaimed her mother. ‘You and Matt have always wanted a family.’

      ‘Yes, but it’s not me and Matt any more.’ Joanna expelled a shaky breath. ‘Is it?’

      ‘So, what does that mean?’ Glenys frowned. ‘You are going to tell him, aren’t you? You’ve got to, Joanna. It’s his baby, too, remember?’

      As if she could forget.

      By the time she got back to London, Joanna was still in two minds. She knew she ought to tell Matt, but the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was only getting in touch with him again because she needed his support.

      Of course, unless she dipped into the money her father had left her, she probably wouldn’t be able to manage on her own. Childminders cost a small fortune these days. Her plans to use that money to accept David’s invitation and become a partner in the gallery might have to be shelved.

      Her mother believed Joanna had no choice but to tell Matt. She also reminded her that in a few months she wouldn’t be able to work at all. Glenys suggested that when she left the gallery, she should move to Cornwall. She could stay with them until the baby was born.

      ‘It will give you a breathing space,’ she’d argued, when Joanna had demurred. ‘I’m not asking you to move in with us permanently. But I don’t like the idea of you having to cope with this alone.’

      Joanna had left, assuring her that she’d do nothing without consulting her mother first, and realised how close she and Glenys had become since her father’s death. The bitterness Angus had always felt towards his ex-wife had certainly influenced Joanna’s teenage years.

      David was glad to see her when she got back.

      ‘This place hasn’t been the same without you around,’ he said, putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a kiss on the cheek. ‘I was half afraid you were having second thoughts about investing in the gallery. Are you sure Novak isn’t still in the picture?’

      ‘Hardly,’ Joanna corrected him drily. ‘As far as Matt is concerned, our marriage is over.’

      ‘Well, you know how jealous I am,’ said David good-humouredly. ‘Anyway, I haven’t forgotten he didn’t exactly follow you back to England, did he? It’s possible he’s seeing someone

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