She saw his face harden as he stared down at what she had written .sx Then he threw the pad down on to the desk , giving her a look so furious and unfamiliar that she felt herself quail .sx " For heaven's sake !sx What's all this double Dutch ?sx I can't read a word of it .sx " .sx " Of course you can't .sx " Her voice was as cold and withdrawn as his .sx She didn't like the stranger that stood in Pete's shoes .sx " It's shorthand .sx I'll read you what it says .sx " .sx Her hand had begun to tremble , but she forced herself to remain calm .sx Slowly and clearly she read the message .sx Looking up , she met Pete's eyes and saw within them a surge of the same excitement that had first fired her when the caller rang .sx And then , even as she began to smile again , and saw a similar response thaw Pete's set face , Graham's voice reached her from the open doorway .sx " Get out , you two damned busy-bodies !sx Taking my phone calls , taking over my office .sx .. good God , I don't want any more of it !sx " .sx Like a whirlwind , he came in , snatching the pad from Gill's hand and tearing off the sheet bearing the message .sx Then he crumpled it fiercely , before throwing it wildly into the waste bin at the side of the room .sx His whole body was shaking uncontrollably , his face rigid with fury , and instinctively Gill stepped backwards , almost wincing as he continued to yell , his voice rising higher and getting even louder as the words tumbled out .sx " Get out , Gill - and you Pete - before I really lose my temper .sx .. " .sx CHAPTER FOUR .sx GILL was shocked into silence by Graham's explosive outburst .sx She had always known him to be quick-tempered , but now he seemed to be poised on the threshold of violence .sx His tirade of frantic words fell about her , and she could only wait for his rage to exhaust itself .sx Pete came across to put his arms around her shoulders and said coldly , " Shut it , Graham .sx No need to be rude simply because Gill took a phone call for you .sx One of the reasons she's here is surely to share the work and help out .sx .. " .sx But Graham hadn't finished .sx His face contorted with anger as he spat out even more words of hate and contempt at the two of them .sx " Oh , trust you to be on her side , Pete .sx Always were , weren't you ?sx The two of you scheming against me - and Dad , too .sx The story of my life !sx Well , things have changed now , and I'm in control .sx So you needn't think you and Gill can get away with it any longer- " .sx Something in Gill found it imperative to stop this inane drivel that made Graham resemble the scheming child he had always been .sx His ranting was distasteful and embarrassing .sx Even without Pete's protective arm enfolding her any longer , she was strong enough to say sharply , " That'll do , for heaven's sake !sx You're making an exhibition of yourself .sx Look , Graham , calm down and let's get back to business .sx These letters , now .sx .. " .sx " Blast the letters .sx " Still he glowered , but looked less violent .sx " We'll deal with them later .sx But that phone call- " .sx Abruptly , Gill had an instinctive feeling that this could be the moment to solve the mystery of the foreign caller .sx Graham was still so plainly off-keel from his outburst that maybe he would give a true answer , without trying to cover up as he would doubtless do in a more controlled mood .sx She chose her words with care .sx " This Erik , who phoned - he wouldn't give another name .sx And the delayed delivery .sx I hope I got it right , Graham ?sx Does it make sense ?sx Do you understand .sx .. " .sx But in the middle of the sentence , she found Pete back at her side , turning to face her , frowning and shaking his head .sx She bit off her last words , dismayed .sx She had been about to go on and ask Graham openly about the night , a fortnight ago , when she had been so sure he was the visitor to the boat hidden at Heathway Creek .sx But there was that forbidding expression in Pete's face again , the steel in his blue eyes , daring her to say any more .sx And then , even as he turned back to Graham , she watched , confused , how his expression swiftly changed .sx Once again , he was the old friendly , rather ironic Pete of her childhood .sx " Look , Graham , I'm sorry about all this .sx We've probably both said a lot of nonsensical things that we'd rather forget .sx Well , I will if you will ; how about it then ?sx " .sx Graham muttered something inaudible , and looked almost ashamed of himself .sx Watching , Gill could hardly believe how Pete had so deftly handled a highly-explosive situation .sx And she was even more surprised when , leaning on the desk and grinning down at Graham's averted face , Pete added nonchalantly , " To change the subject - what have you been up to with Brigitte Leconte , you old womaniser ?sx " Did you manage to persuade her not to make the voyage on Melinda II ?sx I wouldn't put anything past you - you always had a honeyed tongue when it was worth your while .sx .. " .sx Graham rose to the bait instantly .sx The last traces of his anger died completely , and he smiled , a sly expression of pride making his eyes gleam .sx " That's it !sx " he said bouncily .sx " A word from me , and she changed her mind !sx I'm going to take her over to France on the ferry and then we'll drive south together .sx Spend a couple of days in Cannes - how about that , then ?sx " .sx Pete stood upright , still smiling .sx " Nice going , " he said quietly , and Gill flinched as she realised with dismay that all Pete's previous friendliness had been merely pretence .sx He hated Graham with an intensity that scared her .sx But Graham was talking again , as if nothing unpleasant had happened between them .sx He was smiling , toying with the gold pen that rested incongruously on Uncle Harry's Victorian inkwell , leaning back in the monstrous , modern chair , and clearly enjoying himself .sx " Before we go , why don't we have a party ?sx Brigitte and I , and you two .sx Up at my place .sx " .sx Gill watched him appear to swell with pride as he continued , " Haven't seen it , have you , eh ?sx Some house !sx I might tell you that the plot of land alone cost ten thousand .sx And it's increasing all the time - let's make it next Tuesday .sx That O K with you ?sx " .sx Without waiting for an answer , he dropped the pen and got to his feet .sx Gill watched him swagger to the door , her mind churning .sx His behaviour just didn't make sense .sx First , that appalling rage ; then the wild outburst of fantastic suspicions .sx And , now , of all things , a friendly invitation to dinner !sx What on earth was wrong with Graham ?sx The door slammed behind him , and Gill let out her breath slowly , looking across the office at Pete , hardly knowing what to expect next .sx But he was leaning against the window-frame , seemingly unbothered and at ease .sx He shot her a smile that revealed nothing .sx " Good old Graham , " he said mildly .sx Always comes up trumps in the end .sx You'll find his house - well , interesting .sx .. and very valuable .sx " .sx The twinkle in his blue eyes was irresistible , and Gill found herself laughing as she sank down into the chair behind her own desk , relief chasing away the tension of the last few minutes .sx " I'm sure I shall !sx But , Pete .sx .. " .sx Suddenly she needed to be frank with him , wanting to discuss Graham's extraordinary behaviour , to make guesses about the strange phone call - but he was already on his way to the door , and the smile was gone .sx " Better get back to work , " he said abruptly , and left .sx Gill felt as if she had been at the receiving end of a hurricane .sx Her nerves were frayed and her mind couldn't stop reliving the unpleasant scene .sx But she applied herself to the work , and slowly began to relax .sx Graham's dinner party , Gill decided on Tuesday , was an occasion to savour .sx She dressed up accordingly , and when Lindsey's call from downstairs announced Pete's arrival , she knew she looked her best .sx The plain , figure-skimming , sapphire-blue dress lent fire to her eyes and a new gloss to her shining , fair hair .sx And the expressions on the faces that watched her descend the stairs left her in no doubt of the elegance and suitability of her appearance .sx " Gill - you look marvellous !sx " .sx " Thanks , Lindsey .sx Not too much , is it ?sx " Gill somehow avoided Pete's obviously admiring eyes , and smoothed the clinging material over her hips before putting on her sheepskin coat .sx It was cold out .sx " No , just right .sx Golly , wish I had your figure !sx " .sx There was friendliness on Pete's face as he offered his arm , saying teasingly , " My lady's carriage awaits .sx Or my old banger does .sx .. let's go , shall we ?sx And mind the puddles .sx It's raining again , just for a change .sx " .sx The old car wheezed reluctantly up the hill out of the village , shuddering spasmodically as bursts of wind swept through the spaces between the houses lining the road .sx The windscreen wiper made so much noise that Gill held her tongue .sx She had planned to do her best to charm Pete this evening , possibly even getting him to tell her of his secret feud with Graham , but clearly this wasn't the moment .sx She hoped , rather anxiously , that things would improve as the evening wore on .sx And they did .sx From the moment that Pete escorted her across the vast , gravelled drive outside Graham's house , Gill felt a lightening of her thoughts .sx Beneath the glare of the neon-lit porch , she appraised his appearance and saw how handsome he looked in a well-cut , dark-blue suit that emphasised the vividness of his eyes .sx A tingle of sheer pleasure raced through her as he took her hand , pulling her towards him in a brief moment of intimacy before the large front door opened .sx " Got to cling together tonight , love , " he whispered wryly .sx " You and me versus Graham .sx Ah , well , 'twas ever thus .sx .. " .sx " I won't let you down .sx " Gill pressed his fingers in return .sx " I never did before , did I ?sx And nothing's different now .sx .. " .sx A uniformed maid smiled at them from the archway of light that beamed out into the darkness .sx " Good evening .sx Please come in .sx Graham is expecting you .sx " .sx " So there you are , Gill - my word , got your glad rags on tonight , eh ?sx " he greeted her .sx The usual cousinly bonhomie , Gill thought dryly .sx Her smile tightened a little at the unnecessary sarcasm , but then she saw Brigitte Leconte standing at the end of the room and went down to greet her with unfeigned warmness .sx The petite figure , dressed in a simple black dress that screamed Parisian haute couture , turned and smiled in such a welcoming manner that Gill's momentary irritation with Graham faded immediately .sx " I am so very pleased to see you again , Miss Wayland .sx " .sx " Oh - Gill - please !sx " .sx " As you wish .sx And I am Brigitte .sx Graham tells me you have moved from London , yes ?sx And you are settled in by now ?sx " .sx Gill smiled a little pensively .sx " Yes , thanks .sx At least , the furniture is settled .sx .. it'll take me a bit longer to do so , I think .sx I miss the noise of the city , the people , my old job .sx .. " .sx Suddenly aware of how unbidden the words had spoken themselves , she stopped .sx Was it true that she really did miss London so much ?sx Brigitte put a sympathetic hand on her arm .sx " I know how you must feel .sx I could never live in such a quiet , small place .sx .. and I miss France , too .sx Even with Graham , who is so kind , so thoughtful - " .sx She looked over Gill's shoulder to where Graham stood , and her dark , huge eyes were suddenly filled with something that made Gill tremble .sx She had never expected to hear Graham given such unspoken , but certain praise .sx As if Brigitte read Gill's thoughts , her smile grew more pensive , her gaze left Graham , and she added quietly , " Oh , yes , he is a nice man , your Graham , but like all men he is - what do you say ?sx - a little demanding at times !sx I must do this when he says .sx .. "