A Perfect Obsession by Caro Fraser Page B

rather a night of it. I had to catch up on some sleep.’
    ‘Coffee?’ asked Rachel, leading the way into the kitchen.
    ‘Yes, please – I’d love some. Morning, Charles.’
    Charles raised a hand in greeting and poured them both some coffee while Rachel went to fetch Oliver’s things. Leo sat at the kitchen table and glanced at the half-opened parcel of books.
    ‘What’s this?’ he asked, as Charles set down the mugs of coffee.
    ‘Copies of my new book. I don’t know why my publishers send me so many.’
    ‘So that you can distribute them to your loved ones andto your extensive circle of admiring acquaintances. Let’s have a look.’
    Charles hacked through the rest of the packaging with the bread knife and handed one to Leo.
    Leo surveyed the cover, which consisted of a full-length shot of Charles in weather-stained khakis, squinting handsomely at the camera from a barren, brown landscape. Lawrence of Arabia, the boyish Englishman abroad, thought Leo. He had found himself briefly in love with Charles Beecham not so long ago. It had been a disappointment to discover that Charles was rampantly heterosexual, to say nothing of the fact that he was in love with Leo’s ex-wife. Leo put the book down and sighed.
    ‘Your doting female readers are going to love it.’
    ‘What d’you think of the title?’ asked Charles.
    ‘
From an Antique Land?
Very good, if people catch the reference. Otherwise there’s a danger of you sounding more like Hugh Scully than Shelley’s traveller.’
    Rachel came into the kitchen carrying Oliver, who stretched his small arms out at the sight of Leo.
    ‘Come here, King of kings.’ Leo took Oliver from Rachel and sat him on his lap and kissed him. ‘My, you’re getting heavy.’ He glanced up at the rucksack in Rachel’s hand. ‘He can’t need that much. It’s only till tomorrow night.’
    Rachel flushed slightly. ‘It’s just some of his favourite toys and books. And some spare nappies.’
    ‘Rachel, I’ve got plenty of nappies. And anyway, he doesn’t need to bring toys or books. There are lots at the flat, and at Stanton. You know that.’
    She shrugged and set the rucksack down. ‘What had youplanned to do over the weekend?’
    ‘I don’t know. The usual things that dispossessed fathers do. If the weather holds out, we might go to London Zoo. Or we may head down to Stanton this evening and have a peaceful Sunday in the country. What about you two?’
    ‘Enjoy the peace and quiet,’ murmured Charles. ‘Sorry,’ he added, catching Rachel’s glance. ‘Just a mild pleasantry. I’ve actually booked a table at an extremely new and expensive restaurant for tonight, so while you and Oliver are eating scrambled eggs, or whatever, we will be—’
    ‘Charles,’ interrupted Rachel suddenly, ‘would you mind getting Oliver’s buggy from the hall and folding it up?’
    ‘Sure.’ He rose and left the room.
    There was silence for a few seconds. Leo, still jiggling Oliver on his knee, picked up a copy of the book and inspected the cover again.
    ‘Oh, by the way,’ he said, glancing up at Rachel, ‘when do you think we’ll have the last of the statements?’
    ‘By the end of next week, I hope. Fred has to go up to Scotland to take two, and I have to go back to see some woman in Swanage.’ Leo nodded. ‘What did you make of the Names you met last night?’
    Leo put down the book. ‘Much the same as the last lot, but I see what you mean about factions having developed. That’s going to be a pain unless we can sort them out.’
    Charles came back into the kitchen with the buggy. ‘What’s this about factions?’
    ‘Oh, we were just discussing the latest Lloyd’s case. Rachel has very kindly instructed me.’
    ‘Really?’ Charles glanced at Rachel. ‘You didn’t mention it.’
    ‘You’ve been in the States for a fortnight. Leo only came into the case last week.’
    ‘Oh, I see.’
    Leo stood up, setting Oliver gently down on the floor. ‘We’d better