The Baby Verdict. CATHY WILLIAMS

with your modesty.’

      He laughed under his breath. ‘I hope we aren’t working you too hard...’ His voice was speculative, paternal and didn’t fool her for an instant. ‘I wouldn’t want to be accused of coming between you and your love life.’

      The doors pinged open, and Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. Bruno was tenacious. When he got hold of something, he was like a dog with a bone, which was fine when it came to work, but when he started directing it at her private life she had an instinctive urge to dive and take cover.

      ‘I’ll make sure not to accuse you of any such thing, in that case,’ she answered politely. They walked out of the building and into dark, driving rain.

      ‘Have a good weekend’ He strolled off in the direction of the company’s underground car park, and five minutes later she saw him sweep away, his car sending up a fine spray.

      Jessica held her briefcase awkwardly over her head, ventured to the side of the kerb and waited for a vacant cab which, after fifteen minutes, was beginning to resemble a hunt for the proverbial needle in the haystack.

      She should have walked to the underground, but her feet ached, and now it seemed pointless.

      She was on the point of returning to the office and calling a taxi when a low-slung, sleek car slowed down and finally stopped in front of her. The window purred down and Bruno contemplated her wet, shivering form with a grin.