BUILDED ATTRACTION 21

‘Let’s go then. Have you seen Gary?’ for once he turned to look at Clare.

‘Gary?’ Just the sound of his name sent a shock-wave down to her sex. Clare was clearly in the same state as Bridget.

‘Yeah. He called me about ten. Said he was coming over.’

‘Here?’ Clare said in disbelief. She couldn’t believe her luck.

‘Yeah.’

‘Who's Gary?’ Bridget asked. Her fingers were drawing delicate patterns on the top of Malcolm’s hand.

‘A friend of mine,’ Clare told her.

‘Another viscount?’

Malcolm laughed. ‘Gary’s a prince among men but he ain’t no lord. We’re both from the other end of the social ladder. We went to school together.’

‘Well, I haven’t seen him,’ Clare said.

‘Perhaps he’s upstairs.’

Clare looked puzzled.

‘In the flat. He’s got a key,’ Malcolm explained. ‘He can use it whenever he likes. Come on, let's go and see.’

They got up. Malcolm grabbed a passing waiter. ‘Have the booze sent up, there’s a good boy,’ he said.

'Certainly, Mr Furness.’ The waiter collected the bottle f