Yes, I really did want to, I really do want to jump your bones, from the moment I set eyes on you. However, we'll ignore that base instinct for now. I...think you are an absolutely stunning woman and this has been a real pleasure, if more than a little frustrating for me in my current testosterone-fuelled state. The surroundings are pleasant, the food is good and the company has been absolutely fantastic. Thank you."(Better. Maybe. Apart from the "thank you", perhaps.)"Look; I understand that. .." Which day?" Kelley interrupted me again."Okay, let me explain what happened. You'll see that it was all quite innocent. It was a week ago tonight. Charlie and Debra had left for home that day and they had asked me to wait for Megan to finish her last exam on Friday. Megan called and said she was afraid to be alone in their house. I told her that she could stay with me, and that we would leave from school the next day."The exam she was nervous about was from a different professor than I have. That you really don’t normally respond that way and you shocked her.”“What do you suggest?”“Patience. Let things play out. I don’t think she’s going to quit. Do you?”“No. Elyse thought she might take an extended leave of absence, though. Remember, at one point she had talked about taking an entire year off when the baby was born.”“You know, I forgot about that. And that makes me think your assessment is correct. You’re usually good at reading people and I think you may have just hit on what the. ..”“You give me exactly enough attention.”“Stay as long as you like. I like having you here.”I suppose it was a very odd arrangement, but it seemed to suit Clara. Me? I was very happy. I don’t say I wouldn’t have liked to go further with Clara, but somehow what we had was enough. Since Alison was home, Clara didn’t visit Jessica over the weekend. First thing in the morning we took a brisk walk along the flood defences and finished up at the cafe for breakfast. I then got stuck in to my work. I.