CHAPTER ONE

      THE silver-framed portrait on the side table close by Estelle Sullivan’s chair drew Kerry’s eyes, making it difficult to concentrate on what the older woman was saying. It’s subject was an assertively masculine face in its lean strength of feature, with a hint of sensuality about the well-shaped mouth. Steely grey in colour, the eyes seemed to be looking straight back at her, although they gave little indication of what their owner might be thinking.

      Registering her distraction, Estelle turned her head to look at the photograph.

      ‘My son,’ she said with a hint of humour. ‘He always did tend to draw feminine attention.’

      And take advantage of it, thought Kerry with uncustomary cynicism, wondering if the connection had ever been publicised. Considering the amount of interest both mother and son had each generated in their time, it seemed unlikely to have been missed altogether—although the career paths were certainly far enough apart.

      ‘A lot of media attention too,’ she remarked on what she hoped was a suitably light note.

      ‘One of the crosses the successful must bear with.’ Estelle sounded a little cynical herself. ‘Given the right kind of hype, this book may even put my name back in lights again for a while.’

      ‘I shouldn’t think there’s much doubt of it. It’s only been two years since your retirement from the theatre.’ Kerry hesitated a moment, before tagging on diffidently, ‘Did you consider making a come-back?’

      Silk-clad shoulders lifted. ‘If I were ten years younger I might attempt it, but sixty is a little over the hill to start rebuilding a career.’

      ‘Hardly from scratch. You’re one of our finest actresses!’

      Estelle smiled. ‘Thanks for the present tense, but two years’ rest makes a lot of difference.’

      ‘I wouldn’t call nursing a sick husband a rest exactly.’

      ‘You give me too much credit. I was simply there with him. Others did all the work.’

      ‘Being there is surely the most important part,’ Kerry insisted. ‘It must have meant a lot to him.’

      ‘It meant a lot to me too. We had so little time together. These last six months have seemed an eternity.’ The beautifully modulated voice became brisk again. ‘One of the reasons I decided to write my memoirs. I’ve enjoyed an eventful enough life. Now that Richard’s gone there’s no harm in revealing some of the more spicy details from my past.’ The last with a sudden roguish twinkle in her eyes. ‘The only way to capture public interest these days.’

      Kerry couldn’t argue with that. ‘How will your son react?’ she ventured.

      ‘Lee?’ Estelle laughed. ‘He’s no angel himself!’

      She wouldn’t argue with that either, Kerry thought. At thirty-three, Lee Hartford was one of the country’s most successful industrialists: a regular Midas whose every touch turned to gold. His turnover in women was legendary too. Almost every time one opened a newspaper, there he was with yet another in tow. Sarah was no doubt far from the only one to get hurt, though that made it no better for her. She still wasn’t fully over him a whole year later.

      ‘How long have you been with the agency?’ asked Estelle, returning to the main purpose of their meeting.

      Kerry refocussed her attention. ‘Just under a year. I like a change of scene.’

      ‘You’ve done this kind of work before?’

      ‘No, but I’d enjoy the experience.’

      The fine grey eyes twinkled again. ‘That’s what it’s all about. When can you start?’

      ‘Right now, if you like,’ Kerry acknowledged, and elicited another laugh.

      ‘Monday will be time enough. Lee is due back this morning. He’s been out of the country this last week. Hopefully, he’ll be coming straight on home from the airport.’

      Kerry tried not to let her reactions show in her expression. Up until this moment it hadn’t occurred to her that mother and son might share the same house.

      ‘He insisted I come to live with him after Richard died,’ said Estelle, as if guessing her thoughts. ‘We get along well enough to make the arrangement work, although I’ll naturally be moving out to a place of my own when he eventually marries. Not,’ she added, ‘that it’s likely to be imminent. He’s still far too fond of playing the field!’

      ‘Does he know about the memoirs?’ asked Kerry, not about to be drawn into any comment on that score.

      ‘Not yet.’ Estelle paused, appraising the vibrant face before her