She wouldn’t admit to herself that this feeling was in part due to Rex’s unspoken disapproval, and it did not salvage even a shred of self-confidence to find next morning he was leaving. She came downstairs shortly before ten o’clock to find the big hire car at the door and Rex himself loading the boot. Davina stood at the open front door and watched as he stowed his luggage and locked up. As he turned and saw her he said shortly, ‘You’re down at last. I was just off. I thought I’d have to leave a message with James.’ Davina thought it wiser to ignore the implication in this last remark. ‘I didn’t know you were going so soon,’ she answered slowly. Rex reached her side and halted long enough to say, ‘While I have the car and a few days at my disposal it seemed stupid to miss the opportunity of seeing Italy. The rest of your family will be going back to London anyway tomorrow, I gather, and in any case, I’m sure your grandmother won’t want me hanging around.
