Excited by the prospect, she would have preferred their date to be for that evening or the following one, but Payne had previous engagements which he’d obviously no intention of cancelling. So it was fixed for Friday, his last night: which meant any lovemaking that took place would have no chance of repetition. A pity, but then once would be sufficient for her purpose.She’d suggested they use her car, thereby both giving her the chance to select a suitable spot on the way back, and eliminating any restriction on his drinking, which, she hoped, would make him more susceptible to her overtures.A week ago, she’d have treated the idea of seducing Payne with ridicule, but ever since her dream lover had metamorphosed from Patrick into his likeness, she’d felt a growing interest that had been fuelled by his continued lack of it. Well, she thought defiantly, she’d show him what he’d been missing.It was at lunchtime the following day that the trouble started. Rain had set in during the morning, with the result that more guests than usual had returned for lunch, together with several non-residents, opting for a pleasant way to pass an hour or two.When Jill looked into the office, Douglas was on the phone, and signalled that she should go to the restaurant ahead of him; where he joined her five minutes later, looking very pleased with himself.‘That was the secretary of the Conservative Association on the phone, in quite a flap.
