They had secured the front of the rollercoaster, and from this distance she could just see them as they peaked and began the drop, yelling with delight, Jared’s arms protectively around his son. As they slowed to a stop she could see an argument going on, which Jared ended by lifting Mike determinedly out.

‘Time for home,’ he said, when he’d greeted Sam and Ethel. ‘You may not be knackered, but I am. Off with you, you monster. I’m going to take your mother to dinner.’

Mike was offended-not at being called a monster, which he thought perfectly proper, but at the suggestion that he should go home. But Sam yawned dramatically, and gave Jared a thumbs-up sign which made Kaye chuckle.

‘Where are we having dinner?’ she asked as they wandered away.

‘My apartment,’ he said, slipping an arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s not far.’

She was fascinated to see where he lived now-if it was any different from before.

It was an expensive apartment, yet with the same feeling of austerity and aloneness.

There was one photograph on the sideboard that caught her attention. It showed a young woman in a bridal gown, gazing up into the eyes of her groom.

‘That’s my parents on their wedding day,’ Jared said, ‘taken just outside the church.’

‘So that’s where Mike gets his face from,’ she murmured. ‘No wonder you were so sure from the start.’

‘One look at him and I knew we were family,’ he agreed. ‘I only wish my parents were still alive to see him.’

She looked closer. The bride’s left hand was on her groom’s arm, giving Kaye a clear view of a large engagement ring.

‘They were so proud of that ring,’ Jared said, grinning. ‘My dad couldn’t really afford it, but he said nothing was too good for her. She told me it took him months to pay for it. When she died he took it off her finger, gave it to me, and told me to be very careful who I gave it to. “It’s got to be the right one,” he said, “and I want to look her over first.” Every time the press linked my name with a dolly girl he’d say, “You’re not getting daft ideas about that one, I hope?”’ He sighed, looking at her. ‘It’s a pity he died three years ago.’

She held her breath, wondering if his next words would be, He’d have liked you. But she was fated not to know. A knock at the door announced the arrival of supper.

‘I took the precaution of ordering from the take away down the street,’ he said.

The moment slipped past. If he’d been going to speak of marriage before, she knew he wouldn’t do it now. But he’d come so close, so soon. She would have to be content with that.

Talk turned to money. The lawyers had been in touch again, and Jared wanted to finalise the arrangements.

‘I’ve booked an appointment for us tomorrow, so that we can sign things,’ he said.

‘Really? Thanks for telling me.’

‘Well, you know me and my controlling nature. And this way you’re protected. If I vanish you can sue me for every penny.’

‘Must you talk about money?’ she complained.

‘You’re right. Other things are far more interesting.’

After that the meal was finished quickly, and there was the warmth, the darkness, and the sweet feeling of coming home.

At work Mr Vanner was pleased with her, the pay was good, and life slipped into a pleasant phase. Jared didn’t hint again at marriage, but he arranged for them to be together as often as possible, culminating in the British Grand Prix. Both Brent and Cannonball had built their factories in the English Midlands, to be near the Silverstone track, so for once working on the race didn’t involve lengthy travel.

At Jared’s insistence Kaye was allowed to bring Mike for a visit to the pits, where he was treated as a celebrity. Nobody asked about his connection with Jared. Nobody needed to.

Jared drove the fastest practice lap. Second fastest were the two Brent drivers-Hal, and a newcomer called Gary who was tipped for great things. He had a mighty good opinion of himself and regarded Jared with jealousy.

‘Watch out for him,’ Kaye murmured. ‘He’s a nasty piece of work.’

‘Hmm. A bit like Warrior,’ Jared agreed. ‘Don’t worry.’

In the event he won the race without trouble, with Gary doing no more than glower.

At the party that followed, Mr Vanner murmured to Kaye, ‘We’re all feeling relief right now. You know Jared did badly in a lot of races at the start of the season? He fell behind on points, but recently he’s been winning again, and his points are building back up. Another couple of wins and he’ll regain the lead.’

There was no doubt now that Sam and Ethel were supporting them all the way. Twice they invited Jared to dinner, treating him as one of the family with a lack of caution that actually made Kaye feel awkward.

Soon, she knew, they would have to make decisions about Mike, about themselves and each other, but she was too wise to force the moment.

Then, one evening, there was a strange incident.

They were in his home, cooking together, laughing over the fact that he was the better cook.

‘I remember this from before,’ she said. ‘You told me how your mother had taught you to cook. I’m expecting great things of this meal.’

Her expectations were fulfilled. He pulled out all the stops and fed her superbly.

‘At least let me make the coffee,’ she begged as they finished, and he agreed.

As she made the coffee she suddenly remembered something. The day they had met again she’d thought she saw him in the school car park and had meant to ask him about it. But with so much happening it had slipped her mind.

She must remember to ask him soon, she thought, and they would laugh together. Perhaps tonight. She glanced into the other room, and was in time to see him go to a drawer, take out a small box, extract from it his mother’s ring and slip it into his pocket.

In a flash all thoughts of the car park were abandoned. He was going to propose, she thought, trying not to be overcome by excitement. The road they had been travelling together would reach its glorious destination.

As she took in the coffee, Jared’s phone rang.

‘Guess who?’ he said. ‘Mike, what a surprise!’

He gave Mike a good ten minutes before ringing off.

‘He’s never lost for something to say,’ he observed. ‘What a boy!’

‘Yes, I envy other mothers whose children aren’t so gorgeous,’ she agreed. ‘I want a dozen more, all like him. Jared? Is something the matter?’

‘What?’

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