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course she can stay. There’s plenty of room in your villa for two people. I’ll get one of the maids to make up the extra bed tomorrow.’
    I tried to avoid Phil’s eyes.
    â€˜I’m afraid it isn’t so simple, Rozalinda.’
    â€˜Why of course it is.’ She leant impulsively forward, brushing between Tom and his dinner, clasping my hand. ‘ If she’s a friend and you would like her to stay then of course she can stay. I know …’ she went on as I opened my mouth to explain. ‘I know Tom’s just said how lovely it was to be together with no outsiders, but you can’t possibly think I would object to a girl friend of yours staying for a few days.’
    â€˜It isn’t a girl friend,’ I said as Rozalinda released me, allowing Tom to see his plate once more instead of Rozalinda’s over exposed breasts. ‘It’s a man.’
    For once the centre of attention was taken well and truly away from Rozalinda.
    Phil said with blatant pleasure:- ‘So you see Roz. Making up the other bed in Jennifer’s villa could be a little compromising. I don’t think Jennifer is quite into the film scene set of morals yet.’
    Rozalinda ignored any insult Phil’s remarks disguised.
    â€˜Darling, how wonderful! So that’s why you’ve been hiding away from us. You must tell us all about him. Who is he and where did you meet …’
    â€˜His name is Jonathan Brown and I met him at the Santa Luzia.’
    â€˜Don’t ask for any more details. She doesn’t know them.’ Phil said wickedly.
    Aunt Harriet cut across Rozalinda’s stream of questions, ‘When is he coming, Jenny?’
    â€˜At the end of the week. He’s visiting friends in Vigo at the moment.’
    â€˜A holiday romance!’ Rozalinda was rhapsodising. ‘What a wonderful start to your stay in Portugal!’
    â€˜It’s not a holiday romance,’ I said, this time not looking at her but at Aunt Harriet. ‘I’m going to marry him.’
    I saw the same thoughts chase through Aunt Harriet’s mind as had gone through Phil’s. My eyes smiled at her, willing her to understand that I wasn’t acting unreasonably or in reaction to what had happened in the past months. Something of my new found confidence must have transmitted itself, because I saw her shoulders, which had stiffened at the news, relax.
    â€˜ Marry him!’ Mary said happily. ‘ Oh Jenny, I am pleased.’
    â€˜Me too,’ Tom said, turning and shaking my hand. ‘Congratulations Jenny.’
    â€˜Allow me to offer you my congratulations as well,’ Miles said, holding my hand for longer than necessary. ‘I think this calls for more champagne, don’t you Rozalinda?’
    For a fleeting second there was an expression on her face that made her look suddenly old, something that wasn’t meant to be seen. Then she was her usual self, clapping her hands high above her head, her gold bracelets tinkling down sun-tanned arms, demanding that Harold uncork more champagne and saying she just couldn’t wait to see Jenny’s Jonathan.
    For the next few minutes I was able to sit back and watch them all. That brief glimpse of Rozalinda had reminded me of what Phil had said. That she was virtually hiding at Ofir, and that not even Miles’ visit had managed to lure her away and into a major film part.
    It was hard to tell if she was genuinely in need of a rest or not. Rozalinda’s play acting never ceased and I had long ago given up the attempt to discover what her real feelings were about anything or anyone. Her blue-black hair hung in a cloud around her face, her eyes a brilliant, compelling violet. That she had been born with grey ones hadn’t deterred Rozalinda. Violet eyes were more photogenic. Soft contact lenses saw to it that she had them. The same was true of her hair. As a child it had been mouse-brown, I didn’t