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‘Kit is short for Katherine, and Katherine is spelt with a K’ Breaking off her reverie, she returned to his question regarding her name

Her ansas the one she usually gave when quizzed about it Her it was the one decision in her life she’d appeared to have made with ease It was a far fro inforton reacted to the task like a billiard ball run amok—decisions were random and precarious How could they not be when they were invariably e reason and coe froe While her friends had been playing with dolls or ga in herto help find some practical solution to her latest dra her because soain let her down

Elizabeth Blessington’s choice of men had been disastrous, and the self-destructive pattern had begun with Kit’s father Ralph Cottonwood had been a genuine Roypsy who had selfishly abandoned Elizabeth when she’d beconant In her mother’s wistful words, ‘He couldn’t be tied down to a conventional married life when the allure of the open road would always call to him’

Although Kit hada steady o decided that her itinerant father had probably done her and heraround One totally impractical parent with her head in the clouds had been quite enough to cope with

‘Why don’t you sit down?’

Moving his wheelchair into the centre of the roouely waved his hand towards the couches

‘Okay’ As she settled herself Kit rested her hands together in her lap and patiently waited for hiht his eyes were green, but in the beah the s she saw that they were a cha black lashes She’d have to be e

‘So tellthis kind of work?’

‘I decided to do it because I like helping people’

‘And what qualifications do you have?’

The question didn’t faze her, even though she’d often regretted her lack of opportunity to study for a profession But with a mother as often in financial trouble because she didn’t have a clue how to e money Kit had had no choice but to start work at sixteen so that she could contribute to the household income and help pay the rent

‘Do you mean professional qualifications?’

He nodded

Pursing her lips for a hts ‘I’ve done so courses and completed a carer’s certificate But what I lack in professional qualifications Iplenty of “hands-on” experience in helping to take care of people If you speak to Barbara—the ency—she’ll clarify what I’ve said I’ve been with her for the past five years and h, and she wouldn’t keep me on if I didn’t help her live up to that’

Her heart was thudding a little as she finished speaking, because Henry’s expression had at first been perturbed and then so sheon someone with minimal qualifications to work for hiive her a chance to deht of travelling up to Scotland toely lost its appeal

‘It’s lucky for you that I’ht call it reckless, but fortunately I don’t ton, when can you start?’

He was going to give her a chance? Secretly elated, but careful not to show it, Kit strove for her usual co that you’d like to offer me the job, Mr Treverne?’

He ih his unruly dark hair and scowled ‘Isn’t that why you’re herebecause you want to work for me?’

‘Yes, I am But—’

‘Firstly, don’t call me Mr Treverne It’s far too foruess that’s not an invitation I extend to many, but for the purpose of ease of co it to you, Kit And, yesI’ you the job and I’d like you to start toency you work for does indeed have a good reputation for e reliable and competent people—people who kno to employ discretion and respect confidentiality That’s especially important for businessmen in the public eye like me, as I’m sure you’re aware? And, by the way, there’s a confidentiality clause in the contract that I’ll need to get you to sign I trust you’re okay with that?’