WHEN she awoke, Joan was there.

‘Renzo sent me in with food an hour ago, but you were dead to the world,’ she said. ‘Now, I’m under strict orders to keep an eye on you and make sure you eat as soon as you awake.’

Mandy sat up, rubbing her eyes. ‘Where does he get off giving people orders?’

‘He doesn’t, really. He just gets his own way with that smile. It’s far more effective than anything else, sort of wicked and gorgeous. It invites you into a conspiracy with him, and you know that it would be the most delightful conspiracy in the world.’

Now Mandy knew what she had against him.

‘Does Peter know you feel like that about our great and glorious leader?’ she asked tartly.

‘Every girl on this trip feels like that about him. Except you, but then you’re just “ornery”. I can’t think why, especially when he’s been so nice to you today. Oh, yes-I see. I should have thought of that.’

‘Thought of what?’

‘When he was giving you that massage-I should have stayed here, shouldn’t I? I thought he was the perfect gentleman, but I ought to have known better.’

‘What are you saying?’ Mandy demanded.

‘Well-you know-he probably let his hands wander too far. That’s it, isn’t it? He “took advantage of you”.’

‘No, he didn’t,’ Mandy said, exasperated beyond endurance. ‘He was totally professional and his hands didn’t wander one inch from where they should be.’

‘What, not even the tiniest-’

‘No!’

‘Ah,’ said Joan wisely. ‘Now I see.’

‘There’s nothing to see. It’s time I got up,’ Mandy said firmly. ‘I’ll eat out there. Shall we go?’

Joan’s knowing eyes saw too much.

Mandy edged tentatively off the bed, fearing the worst, but she felt good. Dr Renzo had been very effective, she thought, pulling on some clothes, pleased to find that it was easy.

The others raised a cheer as she appeared and asked kindly how she was. Renzo didn’t speak, but he observed her carefully and served her food with his own hands.